Raila calls for peace during ODM grassroots elections

As the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) gears up for its grassroots elections, the party's chief, Raila Odinga, has called on party delegates to maintain decorum during the upcoming grassroots elections, which are set to begin on Monday, April 7, 2025.

Speaking at an Eid Baraza event in Mombasa on Saturday, April 5, 2025, Raila emphasized the importance of a smooth and respectful election process.

The party is preparing for nationwide elections, which will be closely monitored due to the decision to conduct them either through consensus or by show of hands in all 47 counties.

As the new grassroots leaders are set to be elected, Raila urged for a calm and drama-free process.

“When you conduct the party’s elections, I want them to be friendly and peaceful because this is your party. Do not shove your brother or fight anybody. We are all brothers, and whoever gets elected is your brother and a member of our party,” Raila said.

Raila’s plea comes just days after the party’s National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC) announced that preparations for the grassroots elections are in full swing.

In a statement issued to media outlets on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, the Committee’s chairperson, Emily Awita, expressed confidence that the exercise would proceed smoothly without any major issues.

“We are fully prepared for the exercise. It’s all systems go, and we expect everything to run smoothly,” Awita stated.

She further added, “We have appointed and deployed Returning Officers to all 290 constituencies, along with Presiding Officers to all the Wards to ensure the seamless operation of the election process.”

According to a statement from the party, the elections scheduled for Monday will take place at the sub-branch level, which is the Ward.

This process will serve as a continuation of the elections held on November 17, 2024, during which party members elected officials at the polling unit level.

The elected delegates at the ward level will then proceed to the branch level (constituency), whose election will be held on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

Meanwhile, ahead of the grassroots polls, the party said it had suspended elections in select areas in the country.

In a statement, on Saturday, April 5, the Party’s National Elections Coordinating Committee said it had suspended elections in East Kamagak Ward in Kasipul Constituency, Homa Bay County, which were scheduled for Monday, 7th April 2025.

It also paused grassroots elections at Nairobi's Embakasi East Constituency.

“Additionally, NECC has received a significant number of complaints from Embakasi East Constituency. In order to address these concerns adequately, the elections scheduled for Monday, 7th April, and Wednesday, 9th April 2025, in respect of Embakasi East Constituency, are hereby suspended,” said a statement.

It added that new dates for the Embakasi East Constituency elections will also be communicated in due course.