ODM denies media reports about party officials being changed
By Martin Oduor, April 10, 2023
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has come out to set the record straight on the purported change of party officials in Kakamega county.
ODM’s National Elections Board (NEB) chairperson Catherine Mumma issued a statement on Monday, April 10, 2023, to counter media reports.
Mumma assured party members that no election or replacement of officials will take place without the express approval of the NEB as provided for in law.
“The National Elections Board’s (NEB) attention has been drawn to numerous media reports both in the mainstream and social media platforms on the alleged change of Party officials in Kakamega County.
“As the Party organ mandated to carryout Oections within the Party including the election of Party officials, we wish to remind our Party members, supporters and the public in general that no election or replacement of officials will take place without the express a.pproval of the NEB as provided for in law,” Mumma said in part.
Mumma further reminded party members and the general public that the Party’s National Delegates Convention held on February 26, 2022, passed a resolution to defer the Party’s grassroots elections to a yet-to-be-fixed date later this year.
“Further, we wish to remind Party members and the general public that the Party’s National Delegates Convention held on 26th February 2022 passed a resolution to defer the Party’s grassroots elections to a yet to be a fixed date later this year. Consequently, the officials arrived at through the harmonization process, are validly in office until the said elections are held.
“Should any party official wish to resign or relinquish their position, they are advised to follow the laid down procedure by formally writing to the NEB who will then, pursuant to the Party’s Election and Nomination Rules advise on how the positions should be filled.”
Mumma further called on ODM members to conduct Party business within the confines of the law and seek NEB advisory should the need arise.
“In the meantime, the NEB advises those intending to vie for any party position to start acquainting themselves with rules that govern the grassroots elections pending the announcement of the date of elections. We continue urging our Party members to conduct Party business within the confines of the law and should there be an issue the NEB is readily available to provide the necessary advisory.”