By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 25 May 2026 - ODM defacto party leader Dr Oburu Oginga Odinga has openly defended the emerging political zoning arrangement between ODM and President William Ruto’s UDA party, signalling deepening cooperation within the broad-based government as both camps quietly reposition for the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during a high-level consultative meeting bringing together ODM aspirants from Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay and Migori convened at the Grand Royal Swiss Hotel in Kisumu on Monday, Dr Oburu argued that zoning was a legitimate political strategy designed to minimise destructive competition between coalition partners while consolidating regional voting blocs.
“What we are saying is that this region of ours is zoned for ODM. Where ODM is strong like our area here, UDA will not field candidates. But nominations within ODM will still be free and fair,” Dr Oburu said.
His remarks offered the clearest confirmation yet that negotiations between ODM and UDA are progressing beyond parliamentary cooperation into possible electoral coordination ahead of the next polls.
The discussions are already reshaping political calculations across Nyanza, where anxieties have been growing over the future identity of ODM following its rapprochement with President Ruto’s administration.
Dr Oburu insisted the arrangement should not be interpreted as a betrayal of democracy, arguing that zoning had long existed in Kenyan coalition politics and was merely a practical method of protecting political partnerships.
“When we talk about zoning, we are not saying seats are being handed to individuals. Aspirants will still compete freely within ODM. Other parties are also free to bring candidates, but within the coalition there are negotiations going on,” he stated.
The veteran Siaya senator said similar arrangements quietly influenced previous elections, including the 2022 presidential contest, where coalition partners allegedly agreed on strategic political territories to avoid splitting votes.
“That thing called zoning happens in every election. Even in the last election, we had zoning arrangements. So those pretending it is something new are misleading people,” he said.
Behind the public defence of zoning lies a larger political strategy now taking shape inside ODM. The party appears increasingly focused on maximising its bargaining strength within the broad-based government rather than pursuing outright political confrontation.
Dr Oburu made little attempt to conceal that reality.
“We are competing so that we can win in the coming government. When negotiations come, you must show how many MPs, MCAs and presidential votes you have brought to the table,” he told aspirants.
The remarks reflected the growing importance of numerical strength in Kenya’s coalition politics, where parliamentary seats, governors and regional voting blocs increasingly determine access to Cabinet positions, state appointments and development influence.
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Dr Oburu warned that unless Nyanza leaders united behind ODM and intensified grassroots mobilisation, the region risked losing influence within future power-sharing negotiations.
“If this region does not unite and work hard, then do not expect a big share in government. I do not want to lead you to the wilderness. I want to lead you to government,” he declared.
At the same time, the ODM leader launched a sharp attack on the rising culture of money politics, warning aspirants against viewing elective office as a route to personal wealth.
“If you want to get into politics to make money, you will really regret it. Politics is about serving the people faithfully,” he said.
Drawing from decades of political experience, Dr Oburu lamented that excessive financial influence was increasingly distorting democratic processes and elevating unsuitable leaders into office.
“It is money which is spoiling the politics of this country. It is making people elect those who do not deserve leadership positions,” he added.
He also attempted to calm growing tensions among ODM aspirants by assuring them that the party’s nominations ahead of 2027 would be transparent and member-driven.
“The people who are going to nominate are the members, not the officials of the party,” he said, while urging dissatisfied aspirants to focus on grassroots recruitment rather than internal complaints.
Dr Oburu further confirmed that he would defend his Siaya senatorial seat in the next election, signalling his intention to remain an active player in the region’s evolving political landscape.
With political temperatures already rising nearly two years before the polls, ODM’s latest messaging reveals a party attempting to balance grassroots loyalty, coalition pragmatism and survival within Kenya’s rapidly shifting power matrix.
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