The ODM party leadership has since assured that the disruption on Friday was being investigated/MIKE KARIUKI
On Saturday, the group allied to Ababu Namwamba elevated themselves to leadership positions in the party, saying it was apparent they were clear favourites to lead ODM.
The party’s elections board chairperson Judith Pareno however says such declarations will create friction and render the board irrelevant.
“All players in the process acknowledged that the elections were disrupted and did not take place. The few ballots that were cast were never counted and even if they had been, they would not have counted for much,” Pareno told journalists on Sunday.
“As a board we wish to appeal to all the candidates to refrain from declarations that would further polarise the party and render the board impotent in its task to help the party elect new officials,” she urged.
Pareno said the unfortunate incidents experienced on Friday during the party elections should be used as stepping stone to make the party stronger in the days to come and not destroy it.
“We remain grateful, organised and energised by the bipartisan support so far and we view it as a good starting point to rebuild and rejuvenate our party, rather than dismember it,” she said.
The party is set to hold a National Governing Council on Monday to discuss a possible date for repeat elections after goons smashed tables and ballot boxes forcing the polls to abort on Friday at Kasarani.
“We appeal to all the players to give this board a chance to deliver on its mandate when the time comes and as directed by the National Governing Council which meets tomorrow,” Pareno said.
The ODM party leadership has since assured that the disruption on Friday was being investigated.
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