The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is expected to announce the winner of its disputed Kakamega County grassroots elections today, Tuesday, September 2, following days of chaos and divisions over the outcome.
In a statement issued Monday evening, the party confirmed that the declaration would be made publicly and in an open manner to address credibility concerns surrounding the polls. The announcement follows a dramatic contest in which two rival camps separately declared different winners, escalating tensions within the Kakamega branch.
The grassroots elections, held on Monday at Igoho KMTC, descended into chaos after a section of ODM supporters demanded the exit of the returning officer, accusing him of irregularities. Police were forced to intervene, dispersing rowdy groups and escorting the official to safety. A new returning officer was swiftly dispatched to oversee the process.
Despite the elections proceeding, a sharp split emerged after one camp declared Governor Fernandes Barasa as county chairperson while another faction crowned Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera. Nabwera’s camp dismissed the results, faulting the voting method employed.
At the heart of the dispute was whether delegates should vote by secret ballot or through the open queuing system. Nabwera’s team insisted on a secret ballot to ensure transparency, while Barasa’s allies supported queuing. When the disagreement could not be resolved, Nabwera and his team staged a walkout, after which the returning officer announced Barasa as the winner.
This latest incident comes barely five days after ODM’s national leadership was forced to suspend the elections, initially scheduled for Thursday, August 28, after similar disagreements disrupted proceedings. At the time, the exercise was declared null and void and rescheduled to Monday, September 1.
Governor Barasa, speaking after last week’s suspension, accused his opponent of attempting to manipulate the outcome for political gain. Nabwera, on his part, has questioned the integrity of the process, insisting that ODM must adopt a fairer voting system.
As the party prepares to release the official results today, all eyes are on Kakamega, where the announcement is expected to either calm the storm or deepen the growing rift within the ODM grassroots leadership.
