ODM delegates at MaryCliff Primary School in Tudor, Mombasa County, celebrate after electing Tobias Samba as their chairman.
The much-anticipated Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) grassroots elections turned into a low-key exercise characterised by low turnouts and prolonged delays.
The elections designed to strengthen the party structures across the 47 counties were without the usual hype, with the party’s National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC) chaired by Ms Emily Awita failing to provide crucial updates.
In some areas, party members resorted to consensus, shunning universal suffrage associated with chaos and acrimonious fallout.
The election also witnessed pockets of chaos in opposition leader Raila Odinga’s bastion of Nyanza.
The party’s Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, while voting at Loresho Primary School in Nairobi, asked party members to elect only those committed to strengthening the outfit.
ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna at Loresho Primary School polling station in Westlands constituency, Nairobi County, where he voted in the party's ongoing primary elections on November 27, 2024.
He said the elections that started at the polling station level should be exploited to weed out officials who are derailing the outfit. He said the elections are part of their larger scheme to revitalise the party in preparations for the 2027 General Election.
In the elections at the polling station level, party members elected a total of 30 officials. They include Mainstream (10), Youth League (10) and Women League (10). ODM has four tiers of delegates, drawn from the polling station, Ward, Constituency and County levels.
On Wednesday evening, NECC said that the exercise was ‘slower in a few parts of the country due to heavy rains pounding most areas of the country.’
“We want to report that the exercise was largely peaceful in 95 percent of the polling units and results are being uploaded into the election portal by the respective Presiding Officers,” NECC said in a statement.
The Ms Awita-led team said that the party has since launched investigations in areas where violence was witnessed. The party said action will be taken against the perpetrators.
“The exercise went smoothly and uninterrupted in most polling units across the country, save for isolated places where some individuals are accused of interference,” said Ms Awita.
In Siaya, at least two people were injured and rushed to hospital after chaos erupted during the elections in Yala, Siaya County. The duo was roughed up by angry party members at Muhanad polling station for allegedly dressing in black outfits and storming the polling station.
ODM party elections at Komuok Polling Station in Gem on November 27, 2024
According to Gem sub-County Police Commander Charles Wafula, the two were rescued by police officers from the wrath of the irate mob and taken to Yala Sub-County Hospital.
ODM party has two different offices in Gem constituency; one allied to the current MP Elisha Odhiambo and the other one allied to former North Gem MCA, Nick Ochola.
In Homa Bay, the exercise was carried out across most polling stations with the party national chairperson Gladys Wanga declaring the exercise peaceful.
“Our people came out in large numbers and elected party officials. No acts of violence were witnessed anywhere,” Ms Wanga said.
She added, “Youths play a critical role in ensuring our party is well known so all youth officials must bring together all youths who are supporters of the party.”
ODM is also banking on women to make the party popular and vibrant.
The ODM national chairperson participated in the exercise at Alara Korayo Primary School in Kochia Ward in Rangwe constituency.
ODM party chairperson Gladys Wanga takes part in the party's primary election at Alara Korayo Primary School in Kochia, Homa Bay County on November 27, 2024.
She also contested as a mainstream committee member and won unopposed.
During the exercise, party members voted for some officials while others took party positions through consensus.
In Kisumu, the grassroots elections took place with minimal disruptions as the exercise realised a low voter turnout.
The process, which began at 10 am relied heavily on consensus-building, a strategy that helped avert chaos in many polling stations.
ODM Kisumu Branch Chairman Paul Akeyo lauded the peaceful conduct of the exercise, emphasising that most disagreements were resolved amicably.
“It was encouraging to see leaders and members working together to reach consensus. Only in a few cases did we have to resort to voting,” he said.
He cited Kosawo in Manyatta as one of the few areas where disruptions briefly erupted after leaders failed to agree on specific posts, leading to a heated standoff.
Only registered members were allowed to vote and contest for various seats at the grassroots level.
The party, in September, designated Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o as its leader following the exit of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga who is focusing on his African Union Commission chairmanship campaigns.
There was also a low turnout in the Coast region, one of Mr Odinga’s bastions.
At Mary Cliff Primary School in Tudor, Mombasa County where elections were scheduled to begin at 9am, chaos and disorganisation overshadowed proceedings.
"ODM called for grassroots elections, but we have not witnessed any credible process. If this continues, we may have to organise parallel elections. This is very bad for the party. We need proper elections, not consensus. We are tired of this system that alienates supporters," Ms Betty Sharon, an ODM member said.
Many designated election centres across the county experienced minimal or no activity, with party supporters lamenting the lack of coordination.
Elections in Kwale County were done both through consensus and the traditional ‘mlololongo’ method where voters line up behind their preferred aspirant, and the aspirant with the majority of voters behind him/her is declared the winner.
Kwale County Party Coordinator Omar Boga said despite challenges and low turnout, the members went ahead to participate in the voting process across the county.
“We had some shortcomings and had to use consensus where there were very few people who showed up for the election,” he said.
Among those who were vying for the chairperson’s seat are current chairman Hassan Mwanyoha, former Woman Representative Zuleikha Hassan and Sheikh Juma Ngao.
The deputy presiding officer at Mwakwigwena Station Albert Mesiba said at least 300 people showed up for the voting that started at 11am and ended by 12pm.
"There were no ballots. We had other plans but some of the presiding officers failed to show up, and that is why we had to use the available means to do the elections," he said.
Party members who arrived late at the venue missed out on the exercise.
In Kilifi, the County Election Board Secretary Zachary Oppolo said many aspirants settled for consensus hence the low turnout.
"The turnout was not very good but many members were going on consensus so instead of polling stations people had already made their consensus and already knew who would be what," he said.
"ODM has a structure to know the leadership and many people have reached a consensus," he said.
He said in areas like Kilifi North like Kibarani where there were two opposing sides, they agreed amongst themselves.
"We have seen consensus working. We are moving around and any place we shall see an issue we shall subject the party to universal suffrage," he added.
In the Mt Kenya region, where ODM has no strong presence, the elections were conducted through consensus, with largely no incidents reported.
In Meru, the elections were done through consensus as the party does not enjoy a huge following in the region. ODM Meru branch chairman Jack Munoru said the county election commission was coordinating consensus building in the polling stations before coming up with the final list.
“We do not have many members in Meru and this is why we are identifying officials through consensus. In some areas, we may not be able to get the 30 polling officials needed,” Mr Munoru said.
Elections in Mathira constituency Nyeri County were also held using the same model according to the party chairman George Wanyaga.
The election started at ward level where each ward is electing 30 delegates including youth and women representatives, he said.
Mr Wanyaga, however, said unlike in the run-up to the 2022 General Election when the region had embraced the party which was part of the Azimio coalition, they are having challenges on how to counter the "Gachagua wave."
"The recent developments in the political space in this region where former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua seems to be gaining popularity, some people are hesitant to join ODM. Very few want to be seen participating actively in the elections,” he said.
Reports by Moses Nyamori, Wachira Mwangi, Anthony Kitimo, Siago Cece, Maureen Ongala, Kassim Adinasi, George Odiwuor, Victor Raballa, Mwangi Ndirangu and Stephen Munyiri.
