ODM says there's no leadership changes in Kakamega

The Orange Democratic Movement(ODM) headquarters. [File, Standard]

The Orange Democratic Movement(ODM) party has dismissed reports about the change of party officials in Kakamega County.

Catherine Mumma, ODM National Elections Board (NEB) chairperson issued a statement on Monday, April 10, reiterating that no election will take place without the approval of the NEB.

She says the party's election body is committed to ensuring the polls are conducted in accordance with the law.

"We wish to remind our party members, supporters, and the public in general that no election or replacement of officials or replacement of officials will take place without the express approval of the NEB as provided for in the law," Mumma said in a statement.

Mumma says the party resolved to defer the party grass root elections to an unsettled date.

"Further we wish to remind party members and the general public that the party's National Delegates Convention held on 26th February 2022 passed a resolution to defer the party's grass root elections to a yet-to-be-fixed date later this year. Consequently, the officials arrived at through the harmonization process are valid in office until the said elections are held," she added.

The clarification comes days after Kakamega ODM chairman Mophat Mandela announced his resignation from the position on Friday, April 7.

In front of the party delegates, Mandela said that he was quitting the position as he seconded the county boss Fernandes Barasa to be his successor.

Barasa went ahead to claim the position as he affirmed the full support of the party.

"I want to accept the role given to me by all the chairpersons. Raila Odinga called to congratulate me for being elected as the chairman in Kakamega," Barasa said.

The party deputy chairman in the region Wickliffe Oparanya and Kakamega woman representative Elsie Muhanda however read mischief in the purported elections as Oparanya declined to endorse the new chairman.