ODM Postpones Nominations in These Counties

ODM leader Raila Odinga during an interview with BBC's Sophie Ikenye, on Tuesday, March 15, 2022.
ODM leader Raila Odinga during an interview with BBC's Sophie Ikenye, on Tuesday, March 15, 2022.
Courtesy

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has postponed party primaries in Kilifi and Mombasa counties.

In a statement to newsrooms, the Raila Odinga-led party stated that it was putting off the nominations to allow for consensus in the two counties which are seen as some of its strongholds.

The board added that upon the conclusion of the consultations, it will make public the way forward.

"The Party Primaries for Kilifi County and Mombasa County scheduled for Tuesday, 5th April 2022 and Wednesday, 6th April 2022, respectively are hereby postponed to enable the conclusion of the ongoing consultations and consensus-building.

ODM Party headquarters in Lavington, Nairobi
ODM Party headquarters in Lavington, Nairobi
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"The National Elections Board will communicate the outcome of the consultations and consensus-building and advice on the next steps. We urge our members to exercise patience in the meantime," read the party statement signed by Catherine Mumma, the National Elections Board (NEB) chairperson.

The announcement barely comes hours after the party refuted claims that it had settled on a candidate for the Mombasa gubernatorial seat which is being eyed by Mvita Member of Parliament, Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir, and businessman Suleiman Shahbal.

This was after images of fake nomination certificates for the two gubernatorial hopefuls made rounds on various social media platforms.

ODM has in recent weeks awarded direct tickets to various candidates in its strongholds in a bid to tame fallout after the primaries.

Among the beneficiaries of the consensus negotiations was Raila's long-time ally, Gladys Wanga.

Wanga was to face off with former Nairobi Governor, Evans Kidero, for the Homa Bay gubernatorial seat.

The party defended the move to award direct nomination certificates to various candidates stating that it would only do so if there was consensus among the aspirants.

“We shall only issue direct nomination certificates to single candidates in every electoral area, those who appear popular as per the opinion polls conducted by the party and those who will have been agreed on after the process of consensus," Mumma stated.

Homa Bay County women's representative Gladys Wanga addressing mourners on November 20, 2021.
Homa Bay County women's representative Gladys Wanga addressing mourners on November 20, 2021.
Courtesy Gladys Wanga