Demand for zoning by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has triggered calls for credible party primaries as fears of being shortchanged begin to creep in.
ODM wants affiliate parties, including the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), blocked from fielding candidates in its traditional bastions.
But this demand has since triggered a fresh storm within ODM as some of its members now demand an assurance that there would be free and fair party nominations.
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 so that they can defend the broad-based government post the 2027 General Election.
Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma.
Photo credit: File I Nation Media Group
Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma at the weekend said zoning will be part of ODM’s irreducible minimum in the party’s pre-election coalition agreement with UDA. Similar demands have also been made publicly by ODM national chairperson Gladys Wanga.
“The bases and strongholds of ODM must be ring-fenced and left for the ODM party. So zoning is going to occur. Any breach of these pre-conditions will collapse any negotiations,” said Mr Kaluma.
“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 anything, you need numbers,” he explained.
Insiders believe that it is only by retaining its traditional bastions that ODM would have a substantive stake in the next government.
But critics of this move see it as scheme to protect some sitting MPs, seen to be loyal to the current leadership of the party. Others also see it as a plot to lock the zone from alternative political outfits.
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.
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.
Kibra MP Peter Orero said he supports zoning but challenged the party to ensure free and fair nomination. He also rejected any plan to issue direct tickets. He said it is only through a competitive process that the party would get popular candidates that would translate to numbers in Parliament.
“One of the conditions that even Raila talked about was the need to protect ODM zones from encroachment. We should only allow for intra-competition. This should only be applicable in areas where ODM is dominant. Areas where we are 50-50 with UDA, we can compete,” said Mr Orero.
“But there must be no direct tickets where more than two people have shown interest. As a party, we have to ensure free and fair nominations.”
Uriri MP Mark Nyamita.
Photo credit: Pool
Uriri MP Mark Nyamita – who is set to face off with Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko in the 2027 election –said it is in the best interest of Luo Nyanza to rally behind the Orange party for purposes of negotiation with President William Ruto’s UDA.
He, however, called on the party leadership to ensure credible party primaries as a way of strengthening the outfit post the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga .
Mr Odinga, who died in October , was a major unifying factor in the party that has remained a major force since the 2007 General Election. The party has remained influential in Nyanza, Coast, Western and Gusii for successive elections.
“The strength of ODM post-Raila lies in conducting credible party primaries. My position is simple: ODM must conduct credible nominations in the forthcoming elections,” said Mr Nyamita.
He explained that it is in the absence of a credible nomination that some party members may feel disenfranchised and seek alternative vehicles.
“It is in the absence of such credibility that some people may be forced to seek other alternatives in the pursuit of great service to our people. But we are clear that we remain united under ODM even as we engage with UDA,” he explained.
ODM Party Leader Oburu Odinga with deputy party leaders Abdulswamad Nassir and Simba Arati, chairperson Gladys Wanga and others at the top leadership meeting held at Vipingo Ridge, Kilifi County, on January 12, 2025.
Photo credit: Kevin Odit | Nation Media Group
He said it will be in the interest of the party to conduct credible nominations so as to have popular candidates that can win and boost the outfit’s numerical strength in Parliament, County Assemblies and at the Council of Governors.
UDA, Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) of former Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, United Progressive Alliance (UPA) associated with former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and Movement for Democracy and Growth of Ugenya MP David Ochieng’ are some of the parties currently scheming to make an entry in Nyanza, Gusii, Western and Coast regions.
