Why ODM has suspended grassroot elections in Embakasi East, East Kamagak Ward Homa Bay

The Orange Democratic Party has suspended grassroot sub-branch and branch elections in  Embakasi East and East Kamagak Ward in Kasipul Constituency, Homa Bay County.

The grassroot elections were scheduled to start on April 7 and 9 in the constituencies.

The National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC) said the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal issued orders halting the elections.

"On Friday, April 4, 2025, the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal issued orders halting the scheduled grassroots elections for East Kamagak Ward in Kasipul Constituency, Homa Bay County."

"The elections for the East Kamagak Sub-Branch scheduled for Monday, April 7, 2025, are hereby suspended; That elections for other Sub-branches within Kasipul Constituency shall proceed as scheduled."

ODM said the elections for the Kasipul Branch scheduled for Wednesday, April 9,  2025, are also hereby suspended.

The party added that it will communicate the new dates for the East Kamagak Sub-Branch and the Kasipul Branch elections in due course.

NECC further said the elections for Embakasi East Constituency has been suspended.

The Council said it had received a significant number of complaints from Embakasi East Constituency.

'In order to address these concerns adequately, the elections scheduled for Monday, April 7 and Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in respect of Embakasi East Constituency are hereby suspended. New dates for the Embakasi East Constituency elections will also be communicated in due course."

ODM grassroots elections at the ward levels are slated to commence on Monday, April 7, 2025.

The elections will be conducted across all 47 counties.

This resumption follows the successful polling unit elections held on November 17, 2024, marking a significant step in the party's internal democratic processes.

The upcoming elections will focus on the sub-branch level, specifically the wards, where only delegates previously elected at the polling unit level will be eligible to participate.

This stage is pivotal as it will determine the individuals who will advance to the branch-level (constituency) elections, scheduled for Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

Chairperson of the National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC), Emily Awita expressed confidence in the party's readiness for the exercise.

"We are very ready for the exercise. It is all systems go, and we expect the exercise to run smoothly," she stated.

To ensure the smooth and secure conduct of the elections, the NECC secretariat has coordinated with relevant security teams and school management in each county to provide secure venues.

Returning Officers have been deployed to all 290 constituencies, and Presiding Officers have been assigned to all wards.

The County Election Committees will play a crucial role in overseeing the elections throughout the country.