A section of ODM officials in Homa Bay have called for peace during the party grassroot elections which officially began on Wednesday, November 27, 2024.
The officials Caroline Owidhi (Rangwe) and the county Youth leader Robert Ouko want the party members to demonstrate peace during the election.
They said all arrangements had been put in place to ensure the elections start well from 10 am to 3 pm.
Owidhi said they do not want behaviour that will taint the image of the party.
“There is no need to cause chaos during the election. Everybody should demonstrate peace for transparency and credibility of the exercise to be realised,” Owidhi said.
Speaking to journalists in Homa Bay town on Tuesday, Owidhi expressed hope that the elections will be conducted transparently to serve as a uniting factor among members of the Orange party.
She told the members not to take the election as a do-or-die contest. This, she said, can pave a way for consensus during the election in case any candidates feel it should be done.
“This grassroots election is democratic and at times, two or more candidates vying for one position may decide to agree to step down for one of them. They are allowed to do so as long as there is consensus among them,” she said.
Ouko called on non-ODM members not to interfere with the election.
He argued that ODM members should be given ample time to conduct their elections.
“Let non-ODM members give us ample time to participate in our election. Anybody who is not a member of ODM should avoid interfering with the election,” Ouko said.
The party members Polycarp Otieno, Claris Ouma, and Benson Obado urged the party members to come out in large numbers and vie positions of their choice.
“Let everybody particularly women come out and vie these seats. We want women to win many seats,” Ouma said.
Otieno told the youth not to shy away from the elections.
“The future belongs to the youth. Let more youth come out in large numbers to vie for various positions,” Otieno said.
A total of 30 officials will be elected in each polling station where the elections take place.
