ODM to conduct countrywide party elections

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is planning a countrywide grassroots election to fill vacant positions and replace delegates who defected.

ODM Secretary General Ababu Namwamba, said the party is looking at the possibility of conducting the restructuring process at the grassroots after the National Executive Committee meeting to be held at the end of this month.

"We have the party retreat of top leadership end of this month. After the meeting, we shall roll out the programme countrywide. Some of our members defected to URP, TNA, UDF and NFK parties among others,'' stated Namwamba.

Speaking in Busia, Namwamba said the constituencies mostly targeted are the 80 new ones that were created after the 2013 General Election and those where the party structures had weakened.

"The country has 80 new constituencies and as ODM party, we don't have proper structures at the grassroots. We also have places with leadership issues and our mandate is to ensure all our branches have complete structures countrywide,'' observed Ababu.

His sentiments were echoed by ODM chairman and Suba MP John Mbadi, who said they have realised the party needs restructuring and vigour at the grassroots.