ODM has announced dates for primaries in 26 counties ahead of the August 8 general election, a slow process that it says will help prevent chaos.
Two counties will be covered daily from April 1 to 20 and three on the following two days.
The party led by Raila Odinga will begin in Turkana and Kakamega counties on April 1.
The rest of the programme is as follows:
April 3 – Bungoma, Busia
April 5 – Siaya, Trans Nzoia
April 7 – Mombasa, Samburu
April 9 – Migori, Nyamira
April 11 – Narok, Kisii
April 13 – Vihiga, Kisumu
April 15 – Kilifi, Tana River
April 17 – Kajiado, Taita Taveta
April 19 – Homa Bay, Lamu
April 21 – Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Kwale
April 22 – Nairobi, Makueni, Garissa
ODM national elections board chairperson Judy Pareno said the exercise will be free and fair.
“We urge aspirants to adhere to the code of conduct. Whoever will engage in hooliganism will have himself /herself to blame,” she said on Friday.
Pareno said the staggered approach to the primaries will give the board enough time to monitor aspirants who have tainted the county’s image in the past.
But she assured that they have put in place measures to guarantee a credible process.
ODM has outlined strict requirements that might bar disloyal party members and those who have failed to remit party dues running into millions of shillings.
Pareno said last November that elected officials will have to pay all arrears, which include non-refundable dues, life membership, monthly subscription and nomination fee to the party account to qualify for nominations.
“All other interested candidates will also have to pay the non-refundable fee, life membership fee, and the monthly subscriptions to run the party affairs,” she said.
