ODM party has been delt a major blow after a sudden and unexpected announcement by the IEBC.

The announcement by the independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) comes a day after a closed door meeting between NASA and IEBC over the polls tallying row that was brewing.

In a statement to the press, the Wafula Chebukati led commission has maintained that the party primaries for all political parties will be conducted between 13th and 26th April, 2017, going against ODM’s earlier planned dates.

The IEBC has further maintained that the party primaries will be held after aspirants’ names have been gazetted and nominees lists are made available by May 10.

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“In addition, Parties who directly select their nominees for elections shall submit the list of persons selected to contest in the elections on or before 10th May 2017,” IEBC boss Wafula Chebukati said in a statement.

ON Monday, Raila Odinga led Orange Democratic Movement ODM issued direct nominations to over 16 governors, 16 senators and over 307 members of county assembly to contest in the august polls.

The move has rattled feathers with loyal party members who have been skipped ion the highly anticipated exercise.

Among the causalities of the mess are nominated Senator Elizabeth Ongoro, who was a strongest supporter of the party. She has since vowed to push for the tickets before the primaries.

IEBC opted to extend the deadline for the submission of names for the aspirants from 5th April  (Wednesday).

The commission has strictly told political parties to hold their primaries in accordance with its timelines, after the publication of names in the Kenya Gazette.