The opposition party, the Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), has revoked the membership of a former chairmanship candidate who contested in the party’s internal elections held on January 21, 2025.
The affected member, Odero Odero, had participated in the high-profile contest against the current party chairman Tundu Lissu and former chairman Freeman Mbowe.
In that election, Tundu Lissu won with 513 votes, followed by Freeman Mbowe with 482 votes, while Odero secured one vote out of a total of 999 votes cast. Of those, 996 were valid and three were invalid.
According to a statement dated April 23, 2026, issued by the CHADEMA Olosiva Branch in Arusha Region, the decision to revoke Odero’s membership was reached during a legally convened branch meeting.
The decision cited provisions of the CHADEMA Constitution of 2006 (2019 edition), specifically Articles 7.2.11(e) and 5.4.3.
The party stated that Odero had been formally notified through two letters referencing alleged disciplinary issues, but he allegedly failed to provide cooperation or satisfactory responses to the claims raised against him.
The branch meeting concluded that his conduct was in violation of Articles 5.3.3 and 5.3.4 of the party constitution. As a result, the branch resolved to officially strip him of membership with immediate effect from the date of the letter.
However, the party noted that Odero has the right to appeal the decision in accordance with Article 5.4.3 of the party constitution.
Following the circulation of the information on social media, Odero confirmed that he had also seen the letter online. He said he was unable to comment extensively on the matter but confirmed that he intends to take legal action.
“I have no authority to speak on that letter for now, but I will go to the Personal Data Protection authority because there is a law on personal data protection. I will also consult my lawyer to investigate the circulation of my personal information,” he said.
He added that he would also engage his party leadership to verify the authenticity of the document before taking further steps.
This is not the first time Odero has faced internal disciplinary action within CHADEMA. In July 2025, he was suspended from his position as Secretary of the Legal and Human Rights Committee in the party’s Northern Zone to allow investigations into allegations against him.
A statement issued on July 30, 2025, by the Northern Zone Secretary, Ndonde Totinan, said the suspension was necessary due to the seriousness of the allegations and to ensure an independent investigation, given his position within the zone covering Tanga, Kilimanjaro, Arusha, and Manyara regions.
The party emphasized that internal procedures and constitutional provisions were followed in reaching the decision, and that Odero retains the right to appeal through established party channels.
