ODM Postpones Grassroots Elections In Siaya, 3 Other Counties Affected By Floods

• In January, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga chaired a meeting on the scheduled April election which devolved election committees to counties
• The elections scheduled for April 27 to April 30 have, however, been postponed following heavy rains in the country
• The affected counties election committees have been directed to continue with preparations as scheduled as the assessment of the situation continue

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has postponed its first phase of grassroots elections on Friday, April 26 in Busia, Siaya, Kajiado, and Wajir counties following heavy rains.

In a statement by the National Elections Coordinating Committee chairlady, Agnes Awita, the party said it had received requests from the affected counties of challenges occasioned by the floods following reviews by the committee.

"Having reviewed the ground situation and assessed the requests, the NECC wishes to announce that the elections scheduled for April 27, 29, and 30 are temporarily postponed as we assess the situation, " the party stated.

When will ODM party elections happen?

According to the statement, the rescheduled elections will happen after an assessment of the safety of Kenyans and the flood situation has stabilized.

However, Awita said the county committees should continue with preparations for the elections of the affected regions.

"These will resume as soon as the situation has improved. Meanwhile, the county coordinating committees should continue with logistic preparations for the same," she assured.

The party sent its message of goodwill to those affected by the floods in those counties.

"Any inconvenience is regretted as we stand in solidarity and sympathy with our members and Kenyans who are affected by the adverse weather conditions," she added.

ODM disbands election board

In January, ODM disbanded its election board following a meeting chaired by Raila Odinga.

After the meeting, it was settled that the elections board be reconstructed, and election committees devolved.

ODM donates its residence to flood victims

Elswhere, the ODM party leader disclosed that the party offices will host flood victims from Mathare Hospital who were affected by the floods in Mathare.

He further said over 14,000 people from Mathare were affected by floods.

He asked the government to declare floods a national disaster as former MP Alfred Keter had asked President William Ruto to show empathy.

Azimio MPs donated KSh 1 million to victims affected by floods in Nairobi.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.