Tribunal stops firing of ODM elections officials

Court gavel/FILE

The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) has issued stay orders granting fired ODM election coordinators a life until a case filed by lawyer Ashioya Biko is heard and determined.

The orders now give the fired officials power to resume their duties immediately till the court rules otherwise.

The ruling is a blow to the ODM Central Committee that fired all the National Elections Committee Coordinators barring them from conducting the forthcoming party elections.

The tribunal chairperson, Desma Nungo, says he was convinced by Ashioya's notice of motion, hence granting the stay orders.

“This honourable tribunal hereby issues an interim order staying the decision of the respondents to replace the county elections coordinators for Nairobi City County appointed on Thursday, November 14, 2024, as passed during the respondent’s Central Committee meeting of April 2, 2025. Given under my hand and seal of the Honourable Tribunal this day of April 4, 2025,” the order reads.

“That the notice of motion application dated April 4, 2025, be and is hereby certified urgent for consideration ex-parte in this first instance only. That the complaint, together with the notice of motion application dated April 4, 2025 be served upon the respondents immediately. That the respondents to file and serve their response(s) to the application and complaint within seven days of the date hereof. That the notice of motion application be listed for mention on April 23, 2025 at 2.30pm to check on compliance and for further directions. That pending the hearing and determination of this application, inter partes,” it continues.

ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has defended the sacking of ODM elections coordinators in Nairobi, Siaya, and Migori counties saying the action was necessary to build confidence and transparency in the highly contested elections.

"The county elections coordinators for Nairobi, all of them, have been dismissed. Also, the chair of coordinators in Migori and some of the coordinators in Siaya County are to be replaced with immediate effect. New coordinators shall be announced to take up those slots by the NECC," he said.

The grassroots elections resume on April 7.

The exercise is a continuation of elections that was held on November 17, 2024, which saw party members elect officials at the polling unit level.

The Monday election will be conducted at the sub-branch level, which is the ward.