By Habil Onyango
The Political Parties Dispute Tribunal (PPDT) has revoked the planned ODM grassroots elections for East Kamagak Kasipul Sub-Branch and Kasipul Constituency Branch, which were scheduled to take place on April 7 and 9, respectively.
This follows a notice of motion filed by Philip Nashon Aroko with the tribunal in Nairobi on April 2, 2024, against ODM, over allegations of manipulation of delegates’ names.
The matter was presented before Tribunal Chairperson Desma Nungo, Hon. Theresa Chepkuony, and Hon. Abdikadir Abdiraham for further directions and/or orders regarding the notice of motion application dated April 2, 2024.
Following a preliminary inter partes hearing, and based on prayer number 2 of the notice of motion application, supported by affidavits sworn by Philip Aroko and submissions filed electronically, the tribunal issued orders stopping the grassroots election exercise.
The tribunal granted an interim conservatory order restraining the respondent, by itself, its servants, agents, or otherwise, from conducting the sub-branch and branch elections in Homa Bay on April 7 and 9, 2025, or on any other date, pending the inter partes hearing of the application.
Additionally, the tribunal directed the Rachuonyo South OCPD to ensure compliance with the orders issued.
The respondent has been ordered to file and serve their responses to the application and to the complainant within seven days from the date of the order’s issuance.
The tribunal also granted the complainant/applicant corresponding leave to respond within three days of being served.
The case is scheduled for mention before the tribunal on April 22, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. to check compliance and provide further directions on the disposal of the application, according to the tribunal’s orders.
“Take notice that any disobedience or non-observance of the order of the court served herewith will result in penal code consequences to you or any other person(s) disobeying and not observing the same,” reads the order signed by the Chairperson.
There have been multiple complaints from various leaders regarding the names of delegates elected at polling station levels who were scheduled to participate in the ward-level grassroots elections.
Among those raising concerns are Philip Aroko—who is eyeing the constituency chairperson seat and the 2027 parliamentary seat—Ndhiwa MP Martin Owino, and Acting Constituency Chairman Hamilton Orata. They allege manipulation of the delegate list.
Orata particularly raised issues with the Kasipul, Ndhiwa, and Homa Bay Town constituencies, where he confirmed receiving several complaints from party members regarding the list.
Interestingly, the names of Orata and Owino—who is the current party patron in Ndhiwa—do not appear among the delegates expected to participate in the grassroots elections.
According to the ODM County Election Coordinating Committee Chairperson, the two leaders did not take part in the polling station elections, which is the primary reason they were not included on the delegate list.
