Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has urged ODM to prioritise zoning arrangements in any potential pre-election agreement with UDA ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking at a burial in Laikipia county, Gachagua said zoning would be critical in safeguarding party interests and avoiding competition between allied candidates in strongholds.
“ODM must be very clear that before they proceed on any agreement, they must agree on zoning. Areas that are predominantly dominated by ODM must be left for ODM,” he said.
The zoning debate has emerged as a key issue within sections of ODM leaders who are considering possible cooperation frameworks in support of President William Ruto’s re-election bid.
Some ODM elected leaders have proposed that any agreement should include a structured sharing formula, with calls for a 50-50 arrangement in political positions, including the Deputy President slot, should a coalition be formed.
The leaders argue that zoning would help prevent overlap between candidates from allied parties, particularly in regions traditionally associated with ODM support.
The former DP said clarity on such arrangements would be essential before any formal agreement is reached.
“If we open it up without clear terms, parties risk weakening their own structures,” he said, advising ODM leaders to approach negotiations with defined conditions.
Gachagua pointed to increased political activity in regions considered ODM strongholds, where aspirants from different parties are positioning themselves ahead of the elections.
Recent developments have seen UDA expand its presence in parts of Nyanza, with a number of aspirants expressing interest in contesting various seats, from Member of County Assembly to governor positions.
He said the growing interest signals shifting dynamics that could reshape traditional voting patterns if not managed through negotiated agreements.
Gachagua maintained that structured engagement between parties would be necessary to maintain cohesion and avoid internal competition.
“I’m advising them to be clear on zoning so that each party can retain its influence where it is strongest,” he said.
Zoning has increasingly emerged as a key feature in Kenya’s coalition politics, particularly in the run-up to general elections where parties seek to avoid internal competition in shared strongholds.
The concept refers to an arrangement where coalition partners agree not to field candidates against each other in specific regions, allowing each party to retain dominance in its traditional support bases.
In the current political context, the debate has gained traction within ODM as discussions around possible cooperation with UDA continue ahead of the 2027 general election.
A section of ODM leaders has proposed zoning as a condition for any agreement, arguing that it would prevent what is commonly referred to as “friendly fire”, situations where allied parties field competing candidates, splitting votes and weakening overall electoral strength.
The proposal also includes calls for structured power-sharing, with some leaders suggesting a 50-50 distribution of key positions in any coalition arrangement.
Zoning is not new in Kenyan politics. Similar arrangements have been applied in past coalitions, including within the Jubilee Party and National Super Alliance (Nasa), where parties negotiated to back single candidates in certain areas to maximise electoral gains.
However, such agreements have often faced challenges, including resistance from local aspirants and shifting political loyalties on the ground.
The current debate is also shaped by changing dynamics in regions such as Nyanza, where UDA has shown growing interest, with several aspirants positioning themselves to contest seats traditionally held by ODM.
Ultimately, the outcome of these negotiations could play a significant role in shaping alliances, candidate selection and electoral strategies ahead of 2027.
