ODM Elections Board nullifies election of party chair

ODM Elections Board nullifies election of party chair

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Elections Board Commissioner for Nyanza Peter Odoyo has nullified the election of Dave Okwach as Kisumu County chairman, hours after he was announced winner.

Odoyo said no election took place at the Tom Mboya Labour College noting that the election of Okwach is null and void.

The Commissioner added that the exercise was marred with intimidation of election officials and rival candidates saying the party will make a decision in 7 days.

He issued a stern warning to individuals involved in malpractices that led to the election of Okwach into office sounding the party’s willingness to root out lawlessness in the party.

Speaking in Kisumu, Odoyo revealed that the Returning Officer Japheth Kokal who presided over the election had reported to the board that he was intimidated and threatened in order to tilt the results in Okwach’s favour.

He warned Dave Okwach not to tag himself the Chairman of ODM Kisumu County office title adding that he risks facing severe disciplinary action from the party headquarters.

Odoyo said the party has taken into consideration the persistent violence and intimidation that characterised elections in Kisumu county year in year out and are working on a way to solve the issues.

This comes even as the ODM grassroots elections in Siaya County ended on a peaceful note on Tuesday, after some fracas marred the beginning of the exercise.

The polls saw the party’s county officials elected through consensus with ODM delegates from the six constituencies in Siaya County agreeing to divide the seats equally.

William Ohonde from Ugenya constituency was elected chairman, Carey Orege from Bondo won the Secretary seat while Christine Ombaka from Gem took the Treasurer position.

The exercise was conducted at St Julian’s Academy in Siaya town where the delegates agreed to reserve the Vice Chairman’s slot to Alego-Usonga constituency and one of the county special interest to Gem Constituency.

Kisumu Senator Anyang Nyong’o has congratulated the people of Kisumu County for electing their leaders saying any irregularities that emerged during the exercise will be corrected.

Nyong’o condemned the chaos that marred the elections calling on the National Elections Board to ensure proper leadership at the county level.

In August, two people were killed following political differences between the ODM elections party and Ford Kenya supporters in Migori County.

The two who died in separate incidences were involved in a political scuffle with their peers before the incident.

 

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raila odinga Kisumu County Anyang Nyongo peter odoyo

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