How zoning clamour is dividing ODM

Led by Elisha Ochieng, the MP for Gem, the legislators warned that political zoning would undermine the multiparty democracy for which the late prime minister and ODM leader Raila Odinga fought.

Addressing the media at the parliamentary precincts on Tuesday, the legislators argued that those pushing for political zoning are insecure and want direct nominations at the expense of credible party elections.

The MPs included Millie Odhiambo (Suba North), James Oyoo (Muhoroni), Jared Okello (Nyando), Phelix Jalang’o (Langata) among others.

“I encourage our party to carry credible nominations. If you do credible nominations, you do not have to worry about zoning because ODM is still a popular party in the Republic of Kenya.  If you do credible nominations, the ODM candidate will still win the elections,” opined MP Ochieng.

In response to earlier remarks by the Homa Bay MP Peter Kaluma threatening to ask President William Ruto to fire the Interior PS Raymond Omollo, the MPs reiterated that the PS was appointed long before the broad-based government was established.

Also Read: UDA, ODM in fresh clash over zoning

Affirming their support for the PS, they argued that removing him from such a significant position just months before the general election would be akin to the government shooting itself in the foot.

Ms Odhiambo, who is also the Minority Whip, stated she was opposed to political zoning among several other things happening in the party.

Echoing MP Ochieng’s sentiments, the Suba North MP cautioned that political zoning would exacerbate disunity in the party and the larger Luo Nyanza, which she said has been historically left out of the government.

“I was not at the NDC, so I do not know about the party’s stand. At a personal level, I do not agree with zoning, but if it is the party's position, I will respect it, but that does not mean I agree,” stated Millie.

“I do not agree with the many things happening.

“I am in the parliamentary leadership, not in the party leadership and if you have read my book, you will know I am not interested in any post.”

“But as a member, none of us is Raila Odinga. All of us are elected in our respective constituencies. What we should be talking about is how to consolidate the party not to disenfranchise it.”

Growing unease

A Facebook post by MP Kaluma narrating how ODM rescued the Kenya Kwanza administration from a near collapse in 2024 and how President Ruto is likely to ditch them after the 2027 polls has further revealed the growing unease within the broad-based government.

Also Read: 2027 polls: United Democratic Alliance rules out zoning push by ODM

Mr Kaluma went ahead to claim that despite the appointment of ODM politicians to strategic positions like the National Treasury and Energy dockets, the ministries were still being run by junior officials at the departmental level.

He said if President Ruto chooses to field candidates in ODM bases, the Orange party will have no option but to field a presidential candidate.

The outburst by the lawmaker comes in the wake of a major political clash pitting ODM and the UDA over zoning. Zoning is a political deal where parties in a coalition opt not to field candidates in each other’s strongholds.

Already, some ODM MPs want the party to field a presidential candidate to face off with Dr Ruto should his UDA insist on having candidates its traditional bases. ODM leaders, including its national chairperson, Gladys Wanga, have listed zoning as a precondition for any coalition agreement with UDA.

“Zoning is common sense to winning the presidency and being able to effectively govern the country after elections. We either do zoning and field a single candidate for all seats from President to MCA or do it for no seat and allow all parties to field candidates for all seats from President, Governors, MPs to MCAs and await post-election coalition,” said Mr Kaluma.

The push for zoning has since become a major talking point, especially in Nyanza, with locals openly opposed to it. Locals see it as a scheme to protect some sitting MPs, seen to be loyal to the current leadership of the party. Others also see it as plot to lock the bases from alternative political outfits, consequently denying voters the opportunity to elect the right leaders.

Those opposed to zoning also say such an arrangement would deny the region the right leaders. There are also fears that it could lead to voter apathy, which in turn would hurt Dr Ruto’s re-election. There are also fears that it could lead to voter apathy. In the run-up to the 2022 elections, ODM dished out direct tickets to nearly all its sitting MPs, Senators and Governors.

Zoning has remained contentious even in past elections. Odinga was forced to drop the plan in 2022 after fringe parties threatened to ditch Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition after they were asked to have their candidates drop out in favour of ‘popular’ parties.

But ODM insiders believe that it is only by retaining its traditional bastions that ODM would have a substantive stake in the next government. Mr Kaluma argues that if ODM lose its traditional support bases, Dr Ruto will likely ditch the Orange party and court another outfit with numbers.

Also Read: Gladys Wanga: Here are ODM’s irreducible minimums on UDA deal

On Sunday, while in Muhoroni for a church service, Governor Wanga led the National Assembly’s Budget and Appropriation Committee, Samuel Atandi and Kisumu Woman Rep Ruth Odinga in listing zoning as one of the party’s irreducible minimums before signing a pre-coalition agreement with UDA.

“Zoning remains a key strategy for the party, especially as we prepare for coalition negotiations. As ODM, we have consistently advocated for structured negotiations that protect our strongholds while ensuring equitable representation in any coalition arrangement,” Ms Wanga said in a previous interview.

During the church event, Ms Odinga said the party would not sing praise songs as it prepares for the 2027 polls, saying that “ODM is very strong, and ODM can field everybody everywhere."

Mr Atandi said the outfit will not allow UDA to field candidates in its strongholds, suggesting that UDA members in the party’s bastions should defect to the Orange party for them to contest.

"There is no negotiation when it comes to zoning. Because we are not going to allow UDA to plant candidates here in Muhoroni. All our party strongholds, all those strongholds are reserved for ODM," said the Alego Usonga MP.

In what points at a more troubling union between UDA and ODM, Mr Kaluma appeared to accuse Dr Ruto of failing to implement the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two parties, particularly on inclusivity in state appointments.

A casual look through the larger public service, he says, still confirms entrenched tribalism as opposed to inclusion as envisioned by the agreement between Dr Ruto and the late Prime Minister Odinga.

“We have John Mbadi as National Treasury Minister, but who runs the Treasury? Who is in charge of the Central Bank of Kenya, Kenya Revenue Authority, the National Treasury Departments and Agencies, the Banks, the Insurance Industry etc! Who are the Chief Finance Officers, the Procurement Officers, the Human Resource Officers under the National Treasury?”

Also Read: Ruto’s 2027 gamble: Allies on the line in ODM power deal

“Yes, we have the Minister in Charge of Energy & Petroleum. But who are in charge of the Energy Department and the Petroleum Department and the SAGAS under them, including KPLC, REREC, EPRA etc? Who decides who gets electricity and who controls the oil streams and the petroleum pump in Kenya?”

But UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar dismissed the proposal outright, contending that the strength of any party must ultimately be tested at the ballot.

“ODM claims it is the strongest party, yet insists on zoning. Let us meet at the ballot,” he said.

UDA National Elections Board (NEB) Anthony Mwaura told Daily Nation that the ruling party enjoys national appeal and would be fielding candidates in all electoral areas across the country.

Mr Mwaura said the only compromise the party can make is to have joint nominations with ODM in areas the two parties stand to lose if they field separately.

He said that Mr Odinga –who led ODM into the current broad-based arrangement – had agreed to joint nominations in selected areas. Mr Odinga died in October 2025.

“We have made it clear that there would be no zoning. As UDA, we will field in all areas,” said Mr Mwaura.

UDA aspirants in ODM bastions are also digging in, determined not to cede ground without a contest.

In Kasipul, parliamentary hopeful Festus Juma, constituency organising secretary Fredrick Bala and West Kasipul ward aspirant Ken Chiaga have all rejected zoning as undemocratic and exclusionary.

They argue that such an arrangement would stifle voter choice and undermine the very essence of democratic competition. Some went further, accusing ODM of seeking refuge in zoning amid fears of electoral defeat. Mr Juma called for an open political arena.

“We do not consider Homa Bay an ODM zone. There must be space for all to compete fairly. We do not recognise zoning, and we welcome all parties to the contest,” he said.

He described the push for zoning as a departure from the ideals associated with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, terming it “a mark of political timidity”.

Mr Bala echoed the sentiment, noting that the Constitution guarantees every Kenyan the right to vie for office under any political banner. He urged voters to resist what he termed planned political pressure.

“They have relied on similar tactics before, including the six-piece voting pattern, yet failed to deliver meaningful change. This time, we expect a fair contest and we are confident UDA will secure seats,” he said.

Mr Chiaga raised concerns about governance, warning that a single-party dominance at the county level could weaken oversight mechanisms.

“When leaders are drawn from the same party, dissent is easily stifled. Divergent views are essential for accountability and effective service delivery,” he said.

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