ODM urges calm as county elections begin, Busia polls postponed

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has appealed to its members and delegates to remain calm, respectful, and orderly as the party rolls out its county elections across the country.

In a statement released on Monday, August 25, 2025, the Raila Odinga-led party reminded delegates that the credibility of the internal elections depends not only on the structures in place but also on how members conduct themselves.

“County elections have kicked off across the country. We urge delegates to conduct themselves with decorum and respect during and after the exercise,” the party said in a post on X. ODM added that it is committed to ensuring that the process is peaceful, transparent, and democratic.

However, the exercise has not commenced in all regions. Busia County is among the areas where polls were put on hold. In a notice dated Thursday, August 21, 2025, ODM’s National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC) chairperson, Emily Awita, confirmed that elections in Busia would not proceed as scheduled.

The vote had initially been planned for Monday, August 25, but will now be held at a later date.

“The county delegates elections for Busia County, which had been scheduled for Monday, August 25, 2025, stand postponed until further notice,” Awita stated. “Fresh dates shall be duly communicated in due course. Members in the affected electoral area are advised to remain patient and await the official communication on the rescheduled timelines.”

She further urged ODM members and residents of Busia to stay calm as the party works on finalizing new arrangements.

ODM had earlier published a timetable for county delegate elections in 43 counties, excluding Nairobi, Kisumu, Migori, and Homa Bay.

According to the plan, elections were expected to run on Monday, August 25, 2025, with polling centers set up in designated areas across the participating counties. The NECC is tasked with overseeing the exercise.

At the same time, the party reminded those seeking delegate positions to submit their applications through county offices. The application process also comes with registration fees.

Candidates for non-executive seats are required to pay Ksh1,000, while those applying for positions under special categories such as women, youth, disability, and other interest groups are expected to pay Ksh2,500.

The outcome of these elections will shape ODM’s grassroots leadership structures, which are key to the party’s preparations ahead of the next general election. For now, the party has emphasized that discipline, patience, and respect among members remain central to the credibility of the entire process.