The just-concluded Orange Democratic Movement grassroots elections ended on a low note, lacking the vibrant scenes associated with the biggest opposition outfit.
Noticeable from the 290 constituencies was lack of enthusiasm and unsettling flashes of violence.
During the two-day exercise, the energy that once defined ODM’s political elections appeared to have dwindled, with MPs keeping off the exercise.
In the past, elected leaders, including members of the National Assembly, senators, governors and even MCAs would hit the ground, complete with colourful posters, to advance their candidatures.
This time, however, the elections proceeded with minimal fanfare even in traditional party strongholds: Siaya, Homa Bay, Kisumu and Migori.
There were also isolated cases of violence as rival teams clashed.
In Nairobi and Mombasa, the exercise was low key, with no serious competitions.
In Ndhiwa constituency, a scuffle erupted between rival factions over alleged tampering with the delegates’ list.
On Monday, violence was reported in three areas: Ndhiwa in Homa Bay, Kaptembwa in Nakuru and Kibra in Nairobi.
Sporadic incidents of violence erupted, with one life lost in Ndhiwa after two rival groups clashed.
In all the cases, chaos erupted outside a polling station as rival factions clashed over alleged voter list tampering.
In regions where incumbent MPs face strong opposition from emerging youth leaders, competition has intensified, sometimes spilling into violence.
Some aspirants have accused regional party officials of favouritism and manipulating the process.
In Ndhiwa, two youths sustained serious injuries. One had his wrist chopped off, while the other sustained deep cuts on the neck and a fractured left arm.
Tear gas was fired to disperse crowds after shouting matches turned into stone-throwing, leaving several injured.
Similar scenes played out in parts of Nakuru and Siaya, where disputes over nominations escalated into open confrontations.
ODM trustee and Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga condemned Monday’s violence, linking the act to individuals who joined the party recently with the aim of getting elected.
“We cannot be happy with violence in our party,” he said.
“Our party is not grounded in politics of violence and chaos. It is not a matter of life and death.”
Observers attribute the lukewarm reception and rising tensions to growing internal disillusionment and a lack of transparency in the party’s electoral process.
Critics have accused Orange House mandarins of tampering with the delegates while sidelining those who were elected at the polling stations units.
On Tuesday, ODM officials defended the integrity of the elections.
ODM executive director Oduor Ong’wen condemned the instances of violence but said the Monday exercise was largely peaceful.
“One ward out of the 1,450 cannot qualify branding the elections as marred with chaos and violence,” he said.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
ODM has been engaged in grassroots elections to identify new office bearers. This is the first time the party is trying to hold elections of new officials. Similar attempts to hold such polls in the past ended prematurely after the famous ‘men in black’ disruption at Nyayo Stadium.
