Africa-Press – Kenya. The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has insisted that zoning arrangements must form a core condition of any pre-election agreement with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Speaking over the weekend in Kisumu, ODM national chairperson Gladys Wanga said the party would only enter into negotiations as an equal partner.
“If we are going for negotiations, we are going as equal partners, not as a weaker party,” Wanga said, signalling ODM’s firm position ahead of any possible alliance talks.
She was backed by a section of ODM lawmakers who maintained that the party would not tolerate UDA fielding candidates in areas it considers its traditional strongholds.
The leaders argued that zoning, where coalition partners agree on which party fields candidates in specific regions, was non-negotiable.
Kisumu County Woman Representative Ruth Odinga emphasised ODM’s political strength, warning against any attempt to undermine the party at the negotiation table.
“And we are not going to sing songs of praise to anybody if they are not going to know that on that table, ODM is very strong, and ODM can field everybody everywhere,” she said.
Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi was even more categorical, stating that zoning was a settled matter within the party and not subject to compromise.
“There is no negotiation when it comes to zoning. Because we are not going to allow UDA to plant candidates here in Muhoroni and in our party’s strongholds. All those strongholds are reserved for ODM,” Atandi declared.
However, UDA has taken a contrasting position, signalling its intention to field candidates across the country, including in regions traditionally dominated by ODM.
The ruling party has already begun aggressive popularisation campaigns, particularly in the Coast region.
During a recent tour of the Coast, UDA officials announced plans to field candidates for all elective seats, including governor, senator, Member of Parliament, woman representative, and Member of County Assembly — across the six counties of Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu, Taita Taveta, and Tana River.
The Coast region has long been perceived as an ODM stronghold, making UDA’s move a direct challenge that could reshape the political landscape ahead of the next General Election.
The emerging standoff appears to rule out the possibility of a zoning agreement between the two parties and sets the stage for high-stakes political contests between ODM incumbents and UDA challengers.
In Mombasa, UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar is positioning himself for the gubernatorial race, a move that would see him face off against incumbent ODM Governor Abdulswamad Nassir.
Speaking in Kilifi on Saturday, April 4, Omar dismissed ODM’s demands for zoning, maintaining that democracy allows every party to compete freely in any part of the country.
“ODM is saying the Coast is their stronghold and it should be left to them. I want to tell them that the Coast region belongs to its residents. They should allow us to compete fairly,” Omar said.
“If you believe this is your stronghold, then why are you worried? Come, campaign, and win. There is no problem,” he added.
