ODM cancels poll results over chaos

What you need to know:

  • The decision to cancel the results in Kisumu and Busia counties was announced by the party’s National Elections Board commissioner for Nyanza Peter Odoyo.
  • The fracas broke out after a section of youths stormed the venue before throwing stones at a car belonging to former Muhoroni MP Ayiecho Olweny.
  • Similar acts of violence were witnessed in Matayos Sub-County on Monday during which four people were seriously injured.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has cancelled results of its grassroots elections in parts of western Kenya following violence during the exercise.

The decision to cancel the results in Kisumu and Busia counties was announced by the party’s National Elections Board commissioner for Nyanza Peter Odoyo.

Mr Odoyo attributed the decision to acts of hooliganism witnessed during the elections in the affected areas.

“We have ordered repeat elections in Busia and Matayos on Friday to pave way for county elections on Saturday,” Mr Odoyo told the Nation on telephone yesterday.

Mr Odoyo also nullified the election of Dave Okwatch as chairman of the Kisumu County branch.

He also dismissed the elections of other officials who were sworn into office on Tuesday alongside Mr Okwatch.

“The purported election of Mr Okwatch as ODM Kisumu County chairman is null and void. The party constitution is clear and what happened on Tuesday was illegal,” Mr Odoyo said.

Mr Okwatch was declared chairman after chaos broke during the Tuesday elections at Tom Mboya Labour College.

The fracas broke out after a section of youths stormed the venue before throwing stones at a car belonging to former Muhoroni MP Ayiecho Olweny.

The group accused Prof Olweny of interfering with the list of candidates for the elections, including that of current chairman, Mr Okwatch.

Yesterday, Mr Odoyo said that repeat elections would be conducted within 30 days.

Similar acts of violence were witnessed in Matayos Sub-County on Monday during which four people were seriously injured.

Shots were fired in the air to rescue area MP Godfrey Odanga from armed youths during grassroots elections that turned chaotic at Busia Farmers Training College polling venue on Monday.