ODM Grassroots Elections Turn Chaotic

An undated image of ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna and other members.
An undated image of ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna and other members.
TV 47

Chaos erupted in Bungoma on Friday, October 29, after the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party members clashed over the election of grassroot leaders.

The meeting, which was held in Kanduyi, ended prematurely after the members failed to settle on local leaders, accusing the party's top organ of interfering with the process.

Speaking to the media, a section of Members of the Bungoma County Assembly, said that the meeting was disrupted because the ODM Secretary General, Edwin Sifuna, had his own preferred line-up of leaders that he wanted to install by force. 

They claimed that Sifuna was involved in the wrangles and that it was not the first time he was messing up with the polls.

Edwin Sifuna
Edwin Sifuna during a past interview on November 12, 2019, at the Citizen TV studios.
Citizen TV

“You cannot come here and plan on how you want the grassroot elections to be like. ODM has always been stable in Kanduyi. We want to request that the ODM officials do not interfere with the grassroot leadership,” Joseph Maguda, a ward representative stated.

They proceeded to express their respect for the national party but threatened to decamp should Sifuna continue interfering with the process.

“As leaders of the party, we kindly request that matters in Bungoma be sorted out by the people of Bungoma. We have the ability to organize ourselves in the county,” Duncan Mikae, a local party leader, noted. 

“People cannot come from the main party leadership with some little money, just to fulfill their personal and political interests.”

Anne Bwisa, a women leader from the vote-rich Bungoma County, faulted Sifuna for refusing to help them resolve the existing disputes, and demanded that the Secretary General be removed from his position if he fails to offer the much needed leadership.

“Our Secretary General, Edwin Sifuna, I told you to come and resolve these issues in your own home town, but you did not. If you cannot resolve that, then just go home."

“If you have people you prefer, tell them to come here so that we can have fair nominations and elections,” she stated. 

They now urge the ODM party leader, Raila Odinga, to take action and ensure that the ODM supporters in Bungoma stay united. 

ODM Leader Raila Odinga (Right) Addresses Supporters in Eldoret on October 15
ODM Leader Raila Odinga (Right) Addresses Supporters in Eldoret on October 15, 2021.
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Raila Odinga