The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has announced the postponement of its grassroots elections in parts of Homa Bay County, citing the need for further coordination. The affected areas include East Kamagak Ward and Kasipul Constituency, where polling had originally been scheduled for Wednesday, August 20, 2025, and Thursday, August 21, 2025.
In a notice dated August 18, the party’s National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC) stated that the elections in these areas will not proceed as planned and will instead be held at a later date, which will be communicated to party members. NECC chairperson Emily Awita urged members in the affected areas to remain patient and await official communication on the rescheduled timelines.
The postponement comes shortly after the party announced that countywide delegates elections are set to take place on Monday, August 25, 2025. According to the NECC, the county delegates elections will be conducted at designated polling centers across the country, allowing eligible party branch delegates, as listed on the ODM Party website, to apply for county office positions. However, the committee confirmed that four counties Migori, Nairobi, Homa Bay, and Kisumu will not participate in the upcoming elections.
ODM began its grassroots electoral process in April, following the successful completion of polling unit elections on November 27, 2024. The party has been methodically rolling out elections at various levels, including sub-branch (Ward) elections, which are scheduled for Monday, April 7, 2025, across designated centers in all 47 counties.
The party’s electoral exercises have seen the election of a total of 77 officials at sub-branch and branch levels, spread across the mainstream committee, women’s league, youth league, and disability league. These elections are part of ODM’s ongoing efforts to strengthen internal democracy and ensure representation of diverse groups within the party’s structures.
Emily Awita emphasized that the NECC remains committed to a transparent and well-coordinated electoral process, urging party members to continue engaging actively in the party’s democratic exercises. The fresh dates for the Homa Bay elections will be communicated in due course.
The postponement highlights the challenges political parties often face in organizing elections at the grassroots level while maintaining inclusivity and adherence to timelines. ODM members in Homa Bay are now awaiting further instructions.
