Delegates’ elections for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in Kisumu County have been postponed following a directive from party leader Oburu Oginga.
In a letter dated March 6, 2026, addressed to the chairperson of the ODM Party National Elections Coordination Committee, Oburu directed that the polls scheduled for Friday be cancelled due to concerns over the prevailing political environment.
“Following the prevailing polarised environment informed by intelligence, I have made a decision to inform you to cancel the elections slated for tomorrow, Friday,” the letter reads in part.
Oburu, who also serves as the senator for Siaya County, instructed the committee to comply with the directive and notify all concerned parties about the postponement.
The elections were meant to select party delegates in Kisumu county as part of ODM’s internal party structures and preparations for future political activities.
The ODM elections committee has yet to announce a new date for the Kisumu delegates’ elections.
The postponement comes amid heightened political activity within ODM as the party continues reorganizing its grassroots leadership structures across several counties.
On March 3, the ODM Parliamentary Group have endorsed a series of key party decisions, including the installation of Oburu Oginga as Party Leader and plans to negotiate a coalition with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The resolutions were reached during a joint ODM Parliamentary Group meeting held on March 3, 2026, under the leadership of Party Leader Oburu .
According to a press statement issued after the meeting, members received a briefing on recent party activities, reviewed upcoming programmes within and outside Parliament, and developed positions on anticipated issues.
The meeting was described as the first Parliamentary Group session since the one addressed by the late Party Leader Raila Odinga at the Argyle Hotel on September 22, 2025.
Following what the statement termed “frank deliberations”, members approved and upheld all recent decisions taken by the party’s Central Committee and National Executive Committee (NEC).
Among the resolutions, the Parliamentary Group endorsed the decision by an emergency NEC meeting to install Dr Oburu Oginga as Party Leader.
The MPs further backed a Central Committee decision supporting the ongoing working arrangement between ODM and UDA.
In addition, they supported a mandate requiring the party to engage in structured negotiations with UDA for the purpose of forming a coalition ahead of the 2027 election.
The Parliamentary Group also approved a decision by relevant party organs to pursue compensation for victims of past election-related human rights abuses. On this matter, the MPs undertook to work with partners and explore alternative mechanisms to ensure the issue is acted upon urgently and conclusively.
In another significant move, the Parliamentary Group endorsed the decision by relevant party organs for the party to withdraw from the Azimio coalition.
The MPs also endorsed a decision by the NEC to convene a special National Delegates Convention on March 27, 2027.
