The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has urged party delegates to uphold decorum during the party’s grassroots elections set to commence on Monday, April 7, 2025.

Raila made the remarks during his address to the party’s faithfuls at an Eid Baraza function in Mombasa on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

The Chungwa Party is gearing up for the nationwide grassroots elections, with the process set to come under scrutiny following revelations that they will be conducted via consensus or by show of hands across all 47 counties.

Ahead of the process to usher in the new grassroots leaders, Raila urged for a calm process devoid of drama.

Peaceful

“When you conduct the party’s elections, I want them to be friendly and peaceful because this is your party. Do not shove your brother or fight anybody. We are all brothers, and whoever gets elected is your brother and a member of our party,” Raila said.

Raila’s plea comes days after the party’s National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC) revealed that preparations are in high gear for the exercise.

 In a statement sent to media houses on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, the Committee’s chairperson Emily Awita expressed optimism the exercise will be without hitches.

Smooth Process

“We are very ready for the exercise. It is all systems go and we expect the exercise to run smoothly,” Awita said.

“We have appointed and posted Returning Officers to all the 290 constituencies as well as Presiding Officers to all the Wards to ensure the smooth running of the exercise.”

According to a statement from the party, Monday’s election will be conducted at the sub-branch level which is the Ward. The process will be a continuation of the elections held on November 17, 2024, which saw party members elect officials at the polling unit level.

The elected delegates at the ward level will then proceed to the branch level (constituency), whose election will be held on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

Exclusive delegates affair

The party has spelt out that only delegates elected at the polling unit level will be eligible to participate in the elections for the ward level stage.

The grassroots polls will allow ODM to prepare for a major shake-up of party leadership trickling up to the mainstream positions.

The mainstream positions include chairperson, deputy chairperson, secretary, deputy secretary, treasurer, deputy treasurer, organizing secretary, and deputy organizing secretary.