Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader and Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga has declared that Nyanza remains an exclusive ODM political stronghold, insisting that the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has no place in the region as negotiations over the future of the broad-based political arrangement intensify.
Speaking at a political rally in Homa Bay County on Sunday, Oburu defended ODM’s push for political zoning, arguing that the party has earned the right to protect areas where it enjoys overwhelming electoral support before engaging in coalition negotiations ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Addressing supporters, the veteran politician dismissed criticism of ODM’s zoning proposal, maintaining that counties where the party has consistently elected governors, MPs and MCAs should automatically remain under ODM’s political leadership.
“Some people say we don’t want zoning. If you don’t want zoning, what do you want? We want zoning because this is our zone. Is Homa Bay not our zone? We don’t want UDA here in Homa Bay,” Oburu said.
He argued that ODM’s traditional support bases are non-negotiable and should form the foundation of any future political agreements.
“So we start with our areas where we have strongholds, where we have our governors, MPs and MCAs. Those are our zones automatically without negotiations, and we are saying that here in our area, we always take the leadership positions; why should you be shy?” he added.
Oburu also called for greater unity across ODM’s traditional support regions, saying the party intends to strengthen cooperation with supporters in Western Kenya, North Eastern, Turkana, the Coast region and Maasai areas as it positions itself for the next general elections.
“We want to work with all strongholds of ODM: with Western, Northeastern, Turkana, Coast and Maasai-ini. We want to work all of us together,” he said.
His remarks come amid growing political debate within the broad-based cooperation between ODM and UDA, with senior ODM leaders increasingly insisting that the party should secure the DP’s position should the alliance extend into the 2027 General Election.
