ODM Election Shake-Up Stalled as Tribunal Grants Stay Orders

Political Parties Disputes Tribunal PPDT has issued staying 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 Court rule otherwise.

This is now a blow to 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, 14th November,2024 as passed during the Respondent’s Central Committee meeting of 2nd April, 2025.GIVEN under my hand and seal of the Honourable Tribunal this 4th day of April 2025.” The order reads.

 “THAT the Notice of Motion application dated 4th April 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 4th April 2025 be served upon the Respondents immediately. THAT the Respondents to file and serve their response(s) to the Application and Complaint within 7 days of the date hereof. THAT the Notice of Motion Application be listed for mention on 23rd April 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.