AS IT HAPPENED: ODM elections called off after chaos

ODM National Delegates Conference at the Kasarani gymnasium on February 28, 2014. Photo/DENISH OCHIENG

  • 5:55pm: The party elections at Kasarani are called off until further notice following the chaos that have marred the exercise. Most delegates have left the venue not having achieved what brought them here.

  • 5:40pm: GSU officers take over as delegates ordered to leave the premises.

  • 5:36pm: Prof Anyang' Nyong'o on the podium, urges delegates to stay calm.

  • 5:30pm: Police officers arrive at the scene as some delegates are seen leaving Kasarani.

  • 5:25pm: Voting disrupted as delegates overturn tables and throw ballot boxes.

  • 5:00pm: Voting underway.
  • 4:45pm: Party National Elections Board official explains the election procedures.

  • 4:34pm: Prof Nyong'o on the elections: "We want to make sure we respect, honour each other, and make wise decisions."

  • 4:32pm: Mr Odinga concludes, "I thank everyone for approving the changes in our constitution. We will ensure ODM grows into a stronger party. ODM does not mind a bullfight, it only minds what we fight for. Thank you ladies and gentlemen."

  • 4:30pm: Millions of Kenyans are asking; does the government stand on our side or on our way? No government created wealth by taxing everything and everyone.

  • 4: 25pm: When children are learning under trees, do they need a rooftop or a laptop?

  • 4:23pm: Kenya needs a total reform of the security sectors which is resisting change. We don’t believe the solution lies in reporting your neighbour. It requires radically reforming our security sectors, equipping them with the necessary skills.

  • Economic opportunity for all is an agenda for new leadership. Kenya deserves a caring leadership. We must defend our constitution, especially the devolution.
    We recognise glaring omission in the constitutions especially the failure to devolve education. Governors should also be involved in security matters.

  • 4:20pm: With so many odds against our people, we cannot waste our energy on destructive politics.

  • 4:14pm: Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga addressing the delegates. "This is a historic moment for the party, he says. He thanks all the delegates for attending. Commends former VP Musyoka and Senator Wetangula for standing by the party. Gives tribute to Henry Kosgey for standing firm with the party despite pressure as he has remained a solid, dedicated member of ODM, even as he is standing down as chairman.

  • 4:06pm: The former VP commends coast delegates, leaders for returning to the floor after having walked out.

  • 4:00pm: Mr Kalonzo criticises the Jubilee government says returning Kenya to where it was in the years past, cites media freedom. Urges Senate and Parliament to safeguard devolution.

  • 3:50pm: Prof Nyong'o introduces former vice-president Kalonzo Musyoka to the podium.

  • 3:48pm: Coast delegates have returned to the gymnasium after being addressed by Joho and Omar. The Namwamba tem were against the creation of more positions but appear to have been outnumbered on the floor.

  • 3:34pm: Coast region delegates have walked out. They have demanded to be addressed by ODM leaders Hassan Omar and Hassan Joho are addressing them. They are unhappy with the amendments

  • 3:29pm: Reports that delegates have walked out after the resolution was passed

  • 3:16pm: Delegates differ over the proposal to increase the number of national seats. Mombasa leads in those opposed, while Nairobi backs the amendments

    Nyong'o declares those in support have won, meaning the amendments go through. The Ayes have it", he says. "Next Agenda."

  • 3:14pm: Prof Nyong'o, is frequently interrupted by jeers from the crowds, as he puts the NDC proposal to increase positions. He appeals for calm.

  • 3:13pm: TJ Kajwang says only positions for those positions that existed in the old ODM constitution will subjected to the elections

  • 3:00pm: Uproar from the delegates as proposal by the National Governing Council to create new positions within the party, including two posts for secretary-general and deputy party leaders positions. Shouts of "Haki yetu, Haki yetu" can be heard.

  • 2:36pm: Mr Kosgey (now ending his speech) steps down as ODM chair.

  • 2:24pm: Raila Odinga and Mr Musyoka enter the gymnasium. Nyong'o addresses the gathering, saying ODM was snatched victory in last two elections by authoritarian regimes.

  • 2:20pm: Wiper Democratic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka is at the conference. Also present is Ford Kenya secretary general Eseli Simiyu. Ford d Kenya, Wiper and ODM are members of the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord)

  • 2:15pm: Prof Nyong'o takes floor to address delegates, says this could be his last time as secretary general.

  • 2:12pm: Local MP TJ Kajwang invited to welcome delegates to third ODM NDC to conduct elections.

  • 2:11pm: Kosgey calls for adoption of agenda and it's adopted.

  • 2:10pm: Kisumu Senator Anyang Nyongo' declares the National Delegates Conference properly convenes. Meeting starts

    Chairman Henry Kosgey presides over the NDC.

  • 1:51pm: The team backing including Agnes Zani, Wycliffe Oparanya, Paul Otuoma arrive in a convoy of vehicles

  • The Kasarani Gymnasium where the ODM party elections are to take place

  • 1:20pm: Elizabeth Ongoro, who is vying for party secretary general, arrives with her supporters on foot and force their way into the venue after police tried to prevent her supporters from getting in.

  • 1:10pm: The Hassan Joho-Ababu Namwamba team arrives at 110 pm in a convoy of more than 10 vehicles.

    They include Turkana Governor Nanok, who is vying for chairmanship and Joseph Nkaiserry, Kajiado Central MP, and Adan Keynan.

    The team has been warmly welcomed by the crowds as they entered the Kasarani Gymnasium. They were introduced to the delegates from Marsabit by the Governor Ukur Yattani.

    The Zani team is said to be meeting in a nearby hotel and are expected to arrive any time from now.

    NEB chairperson Judy Pareno consulting with a fellow commissioner at the Safaricom gymnasium where ODM NGC is expected kick off shortly

  • 12:33pm: ODM party leader Raila Odinga is currently in a closed-door meeting with party officials. The elections are not expected to start until later in the afternoon.

  • 12:28pm: Party delegates still arriving. Some governors have arrived with their official cars and flags, a Nation reporter at the venue indicates. There are complaints that some of the delegates' names are missing on the list and issue is being tackled, he says.

  • 12:10 pm: There is tight security at the venue by regular, Administration Police and private security to keep off idlers and youth who want to disrupt the function. Among those at the function are outgoing chairman Henry Kosgey.

  • 11:50 am: Two camps – one led by the Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba and nominated Senator Agnes Zani – are fighting for various positions in the party.

    Both Ms Zani and Mr Namwamba are interested in the powerful secretary position currently held by Kisumu Senator Anyang' Nyong'o.

    Coast region ODM delegates during their last bit of campaign at Nyali Beach Hotel in Mombasa ahead of Friday's elections. Photo |KEVIN ODIT

    (Read: ODM rival camps split - VIDEO)

    Analysts say the manner in which the elections will be conducted will determine the future stability and unity of the party.

  • 11:39 am: MP Mpuri Aburi, a candidate for party chairmanship, has walked away with delegates from Meru after his team found their names missing from the delegates lists.

  • 11:30 am: ODM Party Leader arrived about five minutes ago for the election which is expected to start at 1pm. Delegates from various counties have lined up to enter the Safaricom Kasarani Stadium gymnasium where the election is set to take place.

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Orange Democratic Movement delegates are set to elect 19 national officials starting Friday.

The elections are expected later in the afternoon after the delegates agree on some amendments to the party constitution, including proposal for the extension of posts in the national office.

2,800 delegates are participating are expected in the election meant to revamp the party ahead of 2017 elections.