Kenya: Electoral zoning tests UDA-ODM rapprochement ahead of 2027

The ODM advocates for a zoning mechanism in certain regions where it has a strong presence, particularly in Nyanza and along the coast. Its national chairperson, Gladys Wanga, has called for negotiations between partners on an equal footing, while Oburu Oginga has already presented zoning as a means to prevent the two parties from canceling each other out electorally.

The UDA remains divided on this option. Its Secretary General, Hassan Omar, a candidate for the governorship of Mombasa, supports open competition and rejects the idea of reserving the coast for the ODM. The local UDA leader in Homa Bay, Kennedy Obuya, also believes that zoning should not be a prerequisite for a political agreement.

The dispute particularly concerns the positions of governor, senator, and member of parliament. A joint technical team is set to examine the constituencies where zoning or joint nominations could be considered, according to The Star, which reports that this prospect is already facing resistance from officials in both camps.

In Kilifi, Senate President Amason Kingi announced that the UDA would not field a candidate for the governorship and would support Gideon Mung’aro of the ODM as part of the cooperation between the two parties. At the same time, the ODM has dismissed as false a document circulating online that purported to allocate several elective positions in advance between the UDA and ODM across six coastal counties.

In the opposition, Rigathi Gachagua is advocating for a different timeline for selecting a joint candidate for 2027. The operational plan for 2025-2027 from the Kenyan Electoral Commission, the IEBC, sets the general elections for August 10, 2027.