The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has officially scheduled county delegate elections for Homa Bay County on Friday, February 13, 2026, according to a notice issued by the party’s National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC).

The announcement, signed by NECC Chairperson Emily Awita on Friday, February 6, 2026, states that eligible branch delegates may apply for any positions at county offices.

Aspirants are required to pay application fees through the party’s Paybill number and using the position sought as the account name.

The fee structure is as follows: Ksh1,000 for non-executive positions in county offices, Ksh2,500 for women, youth, persons with disabilities, and representatives with special interests, Ksh5,000 for executive positions other than chairperson, and Ksh10,000 for chairperson positions.

“Kshs. 1,000.00 for any non-executive positions in the County offices; Kshs. 2,500.00 for women, youth, disability, and special interest representatives in the County offices; Kshs. 5,000.00 for any executive positions at County offices, other than that of Chairperson; Kshs. 10,000.00 for Chairpersons to County offices,” the notice read in part.

Council of County Chairs emphasises party autonomy

The elections come amid heightened internal activity within ODM as the party prepares for the 2027 General Election. On January 15, 2025, the Council of County Coordinating Chairs (CoCC) issued a set of demands aimed at strengthening the party’s independence and grassroots structures.

Led by Chairman Zebedee Osabwa, Secretary Dickson Imanyara, and Ann Chepkwony, the council resolved that ODM must field its own presidential candidate in 2027.

“As the ODM party, we will identify a presidential material who will lead us in spearheading the process of deciding our presidential candidate for the party. That is the resolution passed by this council of chairs,” Osabwa said.

The council also committed to fielding candidates for all other elective posts and requested a status report from the Secretary-General on the implementation of the Ten-Point Agenda signed with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA). They insisted that no further agreements be entered into until the existing one is fully implemented.

Strengthening grassroots leadership

The CoCC expressed concern over being sidelined in key party decisions.

“There has not been a single time when Raila ever took a decision without consulting us as the chairs, but now we have seen meetings being convened without even calling the county chairs or consulting us,” Osabwa noted.

Emphasising their role in building the party from polling stations to the county level, the council called for greater respect and inclusion, describing themselves as the foundation of ODM’s grassroots presence.

Homa Bay remains one of ODM’s strongest strongholds, and the upcoming delegates’ elections are seen as a critical step in reorganising county leadership ahead of the national polls. The outcome is expected to influence the party’s cohesion and direction in the Nyanza region as internal discussions on strategy and alliances continue.