Zoning of traditional bases is emerging as a contentious issue in the pre-election coalition talks between President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
The two main political parties under the broad-based government are holding strong opposing views, with UDA ruling out zoning while ODM has listed it as one of its irreducible minimums in the planned negotiations.
Zoning is a political deal where parties in a coalition opt not to field candidates in each other’s strongholds. Both President Ruto and other top UDA officials have indicated that they are ready for ‘friendly fire’ with their coalition partners.
President William Ruto (centre), Deputy President Prof Kindiki Kithure (left), UDA Chairperson Cecily Mbarire (second right) and Secretary General Hassan Omar (right) during the UDA National Governing Council meeting at State House, Nairobi on January 26, 2026.
Photo credit: PCS
The officials say that ODM should not be scared of competition if the outfit is truly popular in the said traditional bastions. UDA has, however, indicated that they can compromise in certain areas like Nairobi by agreeing to hold joint nominations with ODM.
In its demand, ODM wants affiliate parties, including UDA, blocked from fielding candidates in its traditional bases, especially in Nyanza. Insiders believe that it is only by retaining its traditional bastions that ODM would have a substantive stake in the next government.
Zoning has remained contentious even in past elections. The late Prime Minister Raila Odinga had in 2022 been forced to drop the plan 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.
On the flip side, coalitions have ended up losing strategic seats as a result of sibling rivalry. The National Super Alliance (Nasa) for instance, in 2017 lost Lang’ata Parliamentary seat after the coalition fielded multiple candidates, splitting its vote in favour of Nixon Korir of Jubilee.
ODM interim party leader Oburu Oginga on Tuesday led ODM MPs in a Parliamentary Group meeting in listing zoning as one of its conditions before entering a pre-election coalition with UDA.
In particular, the lawmakers singled out Western and Coast regions as some of the areas where UDA already has 2027 aspirants to challenge sitting MPs, mostly elected on ODM ticket.
“Kilifi for instance is an ODM base, but as we sit here, I already have a competitor from UDA while our people are told to continue singing about broad-based government. We need to know whether they will field candidates or not so that I know who I will face in 2027,” a second-term MP from Kilifi said in the meeting.
Minority Leader Junet Mohamed while addressing a press conference after the PG said the zoning agenda is part of the items that the party will put on the table during negotiations.
“On the negotiations with UDA, we have given the Party Leader the mandate to come up with a plan on how it is going to be done and all other things, including zoning, will be part of it,” Mr Mohamed said.
Going into 2027, Mr Mohamed said the party has resolved to keep all its current seats in the National Assembly and Senate and even bag more seats.
Suna East MP Junet Mohamed during the vetting of Cabinet Secretaries nominees at County Hall in Nairobi on August 02, 2024.
Photo credit: Francis Nderitu | Nation Media Group
“We are telling any party that we are associating with, any party in this country that wants to associate with us, our parliamentary numbers are not negotiable,” Mr Mohamed said.
During the meeting, the party leader Oburu Oginga reportedly told the lawmakers that the negotiating team that will sit with UDA, will push for the zoning.
“We are going to push that UDA should not field candidates in our bases. So those that will be going for negotiations must state that but so far, we have not negotiated anything,” Dr Oburu said during the meeting.
Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma has in the past indicated that zoning would be part of ODM’s irreducible minimum in the party’s pre-election coalition agreement with UDA.
“The bases and strongholds of ODM must be ring-fenced and left for ODM party. So zoning is going to occur. Any breach of these pre-conditions, will collapse any negotiations,” said Mr Kaluma recently.
“You need numbers in terms of elected leaders as a party to have a voice both before elections and after elections. Even after elections, for you demand for anything, you need numbers,” he explained.
But critics of this move 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.
ODM MPs opposed to the demand for zoning say such 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, in the event ODM endorses him for a second term.
ODM has for successive elections been faulted for not conducting free and fair nominations. Those apprehensive of being shortchanged in the party primaries are already plotting to join other partner parties ahead of the next elections.
In the run up to the 2022 elections, ODM dished out direct tickets to a majority of its sitting MPs, Senators and Governors, consequently locking out other aspirants from a competitive process.
Already, some sitting MPs are lobbying for the issuance of direct tickets. The matter was discussed during a meeting held in Karen by 40 ODM MPs on January 12. Sources in the meeting indicated how some MPs cited the need for loyalists to secure party ticket so that they can defend the broad-based government post 2027 General Election.
Speaking on Saturday at Mashuru Villages in Kajiado County, President Ruto also hinted at a decision by the party not to consider zoning. He said UDA is ready to engage ODM in ‘friendly fire’ during the 2027 General Election as part of efforts to strengthen democracy.
“The political pact negotiations between UDA and ODM are at an advanced stage. The parties will enjoy a friendly fire in the next polls, but we will remain on course. Wherever either party wins, we will celebrate together. We will also accommodate losers in the government,” said the President.
UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar also recently made similar remarks, ruling out zoning in the 2027 contest.
UDA party secretary general Omar Hassan.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
“There is no zoning, and everyone will have to fight for themselves to win the seats. Let those with three votes bring them; those with three hundred votes, let them bring them. You do not need to panic. Why should you be scared if this is your forte?" posed Mr Omar.
UDA National Elections Board (NEB) Anthony Mwaura told Daily Nation that the ruling party enjoys national backing and would be fielding candidates in all areas.
Mr Mwaura said the only compromise the party can make is to have a joint nomination with ODM in areas the two parties stand to lose if they field separately.
He said the late Prime Minister Raila 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.
