By Hope Barbra and Habil Onyango
Reality check on an end to the decade-old preferential treatment in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) of the ‘sacred cows’ in the party’s primaries and general elections is causing panic and anxiety.
Finally, the political reality of a life without Raila Amollo Odinga in the 2027 general election is dawning, leaving some clutching to the hope of zoning or perishing.
The fear of facing opponents in the party primaries and general elections is causing panic in most of the ODM Linda Ground lieutenants, who for successive elections relied on Raila’s anointment to win elections.
The demise of Raila has radically changed the political landscape, and the majority who relied on the former ODM party leader for direct nomination have gone into panic mode and now want zoning of ODM strongholds to survive.
The proponents of zoning, who had earlier been lobbying for the Deputy President slot in the ODM-UDA pre-election coalition, have abandoned that debate and have now placed zoning as a priority in the negotiations.
Leading the group is ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga, Homa Bay MP Opondo Kaluma and Alego MP Sam Atandi, while MPs Millie Odhiambo, Elisha Odhiambo, Onyango Koyoo, and Senator Tom Ojienda have opposed the proposal.
Millie said ODM was the most popular party in the country and the call for zoning was retrogressive and uncalled for.
“There has been a lot of discussion on the issue of zoning. My personal position is that ODM is a popular party. We have declared ODM as a popular and the largest party in the country; how come we demand zoning?” she asked.
She said ODM has managed to successfully front candidates without any formal form of zoning, perhaps maybe a silent agreement like in Nairobi.
“There has never been a need for zoning for ODM. Let us be honest: none of us is Raila Amolo Odinga. We need to listen to the public. The public is keen that we show what we have done for the public. When we start pushing an agenda of zoning, it means we put our personal interest ahead of our constituents,” she said.
Millie said the elected leaders should not be scared of competition if they know they have delivered on their mandate.
“If I have worked for my constituency, I should not fear meeting my opponents. So when we talk about zoning, we seem to be seeking favorable treatment. Let us reconsider the issue of zoning,” she said.
The proponents of zoning argue that in order to support Ruto’s re-election, UDA should not field any of their candidates in regions currently held by ODM.
Wanga has declared that Homa Bay and the broader Nyanza region are ODM zones and will not tolerate opposition, specifically warning against UDA infiltration.
Wanga insisted that in any coalition agreement, UDA must include a clear zoning formula that guarantees ODM a fair and respectable number of seats in regions where it has strong support.
“ODM will not be a ‘junior affiliate’ to UDA, and we expect a 50-50 power-sharing structure where ODM controls its traditional strongholds,” she insisted.
Kaluma said: “I want to tell our friends in UDA, if you think you can have members here in Homa Bay, it will take away votes from the President. In fact, if you want to destroy our relationship, try fronting anyone other than ODM here in Homa Bay.”
ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna wondered why a section of party members were demanding zoning in areas which are ODM strongholds.
“How do you call for zoning in Homa Bay County, the bastion of ODM? Let UDA field a candidate because that is not something to scare us,” he said.
He said the proponents of zoning have a problem and fear facing their opponents at the ballot.
Alego MP Sam Atandi said there was no negotiation over zoning and will not allow UDA to plant candidates in Nyanza.
“We are not going to allow UDA to plant a candidate here in Muhoroni. All our party strongholds are reserved for ODM, nothing less or more,” he said.
UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar has dismissed ODM’s zoning demands, saying the UDA party will field candidates across the country.
The UDA Secretary General argued that if ODM is confident in its strongholds, it should allow other parties to field candidates in those areas.
“ODM says the Coast is their stronghold; we are telling them the Coast belongs to the people of the Coast, let us compete fairly. And they claim that even if some of us are allowed to vie for seats, we cannot defeat them in their ODM zones. If you have that kind of courage and confidence, then what problem is the issue with us contesting for those seats?” Omar questioned.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi dismissed the zoning push by ODM, saying cooperation plans between the ruling party and his Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) will see them field candidates in all elective seats, including the Mvita parliamentary seat.
