The Orange Democratic Movement party has suspended all the grassroots election to avert a looming fallout.
Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya who is also the party’s deputy leader said the decision had been arrived at by the National Central Committee (NCC) which pushed the exercise to a later date after the coming poll to contain possible fallout in the troubled party. The exercise had been scheduled for March and April this year.
“The NCC met recently and decided to postpone the elections until next year so as to concentrate on popularizing the party ahead of the next year’s general election,” he explained.
The Governor was speaking after hosting six ODM Members of County Assembly (MCAs) from Vihiga County in his office.
He noted that party elections would likely lead to a fallout of members who would be dissatisfied with the outcome and hence weaken the party.
The county head stated that they want to participate in the next general election as a united, formidable force.
“The Committee agreed to use consensus to fill vacant positions at the branches and in the party structures,” he said.
He said he intends to meet Governor Wilber Ottichilo and ODM leaders from Vihiga County next week to work out modalities of revitalizing the party in the region.
Oparanya downplayed the wrangles in the party over the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill 2020, arguing that the Orange party was still strong.
By Sammy Mwibanda
