The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party was forced to delay its Kasipul parliamentary nomination exercise on Wednesday, September 24, after chaos broke out at the election materials distribution centre.
According to a statement issued by the party, the nominations—scheduled to begin at 8:00 am—did not proceed as planned due to violent disruptions allegedly instigated by one of the aspirants.
ODM singled out the aspirant, Ogada, accusing him of arriving at the centre with a group of goons who reportedly intimidated the Returning Officer and other election officials. The party condemned the incident, terming it a deliberate attempt to derail a transparent and fair nomination process.
“It has come to the attention of the party that the nomination exercise to elect the candidate for the Kasipul Constituency in the November 27 by-election has not kicked off as scheduled,” ODM stated.
The situation was further complicated by the presence of Homa Bay Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga, who arrived at the venue despite not being a candidate in the race. ODM described his appearance as “unnecessary” and potentially destabilizing to the already tense atmosphere.
The party reaffirmed its commitment to conducting free, fair, and credible nominations, assuring its supporters that disciplinary action would be taken against individuals found culpable of disrupting the process.
The Kasipul parliamentary seat fell vacant following the resignation of its holder, paving the way for the November 27 by-election. ODM, which enjoys strong support in Homa Bay County, is keen to field a strong candidate in order to retain the seat.
With the nomination exercise now disrupted, the party is expected to announce a new schedule as it seeks to restore order and ensure the process is conducted peacefully.
The incident underscores the intense competition for the Kasipul seat and highlights the challenges political parties face in managing internal democracy during high-stakes by-elections.
