The National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC) of the Orange democratic movement party (ODM) has postponed its grassroots elections after receiving reports of flooding in counties with a large representation of its members.
In a statement, ODM stated that it had therefore assessed the requests and decided to postpone the elections scheduled for 27th, 29th and 30th April 2024.
Furthermore, the affected counties listed by the party include Busia, Siaya, Kajiado, and Wajir.
“The National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC) has received requests from Busia, Siaya, Kajiado, and Wajir counties where large sections of the respective counties are experiencing floods and related challenges occasioned by ongoing heavy rains for the review of its program for the First Phase of ODM grassroots elections.
“Having reviewed the ground situation and assessed the requests, the NECC wishes to announce that the elections scheduled for 27th, 29th and 30th April 2024 are temporarily postponed as we assess the situation,” the statement read in part.
The party explained that the scheduled elections will resume at a later date that will be communicated.
Also Read: UDA Hits Back at ODM Over Appointment of Anthony Mwaura
ODM Announces Jobs for the Party Elections
The party announced job opportunities in the County Elections Committees for Kenyans ahead of the elections on April 4. The committees were to take over the mandate of overseeing Party primaries, grassroots elections, and candidate nominations.
Further, ODM explained that it would ensure fair and transparent electoral process within the Party.
“The National Elections Board is mandated by the Party Constitution to plan, organize, direct, conduct, supervise and/or coordinate all Party primaries, Grassroots elections and nomination of candidates to Party Lists.”
“The Board in pursuance to Rule 13 of the Party Primaries and Nomination Rules wishes to fill vacancies in County Elections Committees and hereby invite suitably qualified members to apply,” stated the party.
Earlier, the ODM committee resolved to kick off the Party grassroots elections on the 27th of April 2024.
Also Read: ODM Gives Demands After UDA Appointed Anthony Mwaura & Joy Mdivo
Floods Across the Country
The decision came when the country was grappling with a flood’s crisis following persistent heavy rainfall across the country.
The death toll from the devastating floods had climbed to over 60 individuals by April 25. Among the hardest-hit areas is Mathare River in Nairobi, where the flood-related fatalities have reached 14 following the recovery of four more bodies. Authorities have confirmed that all four victims belonged to the same family.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Meteorological Department has warned that the heavy rainfall is predicted to intensify to more than 50mm in 24hrs over the Rift Valley, Highlands West and East of the Rift Valley including Nairobi area, Southeast Lowlands, Lake Victoria Basin and off coast on 26th to 27th April 2024.
“It is likely to reduce in intensity on 28th April 2024. The heavy rainfall is likely to be accompanied with gusty winds, large Ocean Waves in the Indian Ocean and strong southerly winds in the eastern sector,” said the authority.
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