Kakamega UDA politicians reject zoning, call for ceasefire with ODM

A section of UDA politicians in Kakamega has dismissed calls by the Orange Democratic Movement to adopt zoning arrangements in ongoing broad-based political engagements.

The politicians, while calling for a ceasefire, instead maintain that only the presidential seat will be zoned and preserved for the ruling party.

Led by Deputy Governor Ayub Savula, the politicians welcomed President William Ruto's directive while in Gusii to end sibling rivalry in the broad-based arrangement, stating that UDA and ODM should employ concerted efforts in helping Ruto to win a second term instead of focusing on zoning.

"We don't want to reduce the chances of President Ruto getting another term. He has spoken about the issue of UDA and ODM working together and I think moving forward we should have joint meetings as the two political parties to campaign for Ruto," said Savula.

Savula maintained that only the seat of the President should be zoned and preserved for Ruto, but the rest of the seats should be subjected to open competition.

"There is nothing like zoning, the only seat we are going to zone is the Presidency and maybe governorship seats in some areas, but for Senators, women representatives, Members of Parliament and Members of County Assembly, people should be left to battle out and the popular win," he said.

He also revealed that he will be contesting for a national seat under the UDA party.

"I have good experience to help our President get his second term in 2027. I have been an MP for two terms, Deputy governor and Deputy Party Leader of DAP-K and therefore I am going to vie for a national seat on UDA," he said.

The Deputy Governor, however, dismissed claims that Ruto is out to kill strong parties, including ODM, stating that leaders are following Ruto due to development projects he is initiating in various parts of the country.

"Ruto has just become attractive to leaders because he is taking developments to areas of ODM leaders who are now following and supporting him and that is not killing ODM. The late Raila Odinga left ODM in power and that's why the party has stuck with the President and we are encouraging it to remain strong," said Savula.

Shinyalu Member of Parliament (MP) Fred Ikana said the proposals to zone elective positions across regions are misguided and risk undermining democratic choice among voters.

"We have a clear mind and stand as a party that what unites us in working with ODM is the democratic aspect, UDA stands for democracy same to ODM and in any democratic space it is better and in order for people to be given opportunity to exercise their democratic right of chosing leaders of their choice based on the manifesto and work done by those contesting for various seats," said Ikana.

He added, "As per now, there is nothing like zoning on the table and if it were there, then we would have known."

Ikana said UDA is doing enough at the grassroots levels and across the country in mobilising members to join the party and popularising the party ahead of the 2027 general election and it will not be for such calls like zoning.

"We are now investing and making the party strong and popular by having such grassroots mobilisation meetings and therefore all the seats should be subjected to open contestation to allow people to elect leaders who convince them beyond a reasonable doubt that they are better than those holding positions or they have done exemplary well in service delivery while in office," said Ikana.

"The only seat that is non-negotiable under the broad-based arrangement that will be subjected to zoning is the position of the presidency and the seat is preserved for President Ruto but all other these seats are open for competition and the best team wins," he added.

However, UDA leaders in Kakamega maintained that zoning other elective posts would disenfranchise voters and weaken the country’s democratic processes. They called on political parties to focus on issue-based politics

The UDA MP, however, condemned the act of political hooliganism being witnessed across the country while calling on the opposition to stop the blame game and instead table any tangible evidence against the Interior Principal Secretary, Raymond Omollo, for being accused of being behind the assault against Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi last week in Kisumu.

"We strongly condemn the act of political hooliganism in our country and politics, as leaders we should embrace political tolerance, where all leaders should be allowed to sell their pledges to people without being intimidated either through heckling of use of goons. However much we differ politically, we should not harm each other but rather give room for democracy to thrive," said Ikana.

He added "I want to urge the United Opposition to stop banket condemnation on our PS Omollo, I want to appeal to Opposition leaders, if they have any evidence against our PS let them table it to the relevant government agencies for action but any accusations without evidence and we are treating it as propaganda geared towards discrediting the good name of those in offices."

The remarks come amid growing debate within political circles over zoning proposals aimed at fostering inclusivity and easing political tensions ahead of future elections.

ODM leaders have been pushing for structured agreements on the distribution of key positions, arguing that such arrangements could promote national unity.

However, on Tuesday, while in Gusii, President Ruto promised to end the friendly fire that threatens to destabilise the broad-based arrangement.

"I am going to deal with those who want to create friendly fire to bring confusion and destabilise the broad-based arrangement and they will stop it," said Ruto.

Ruto was responding to Kisii Governor Simba Arati's request that there are some people in UDA creating friendly fire that threatens to sink the broad-based ship and that the head of state should intervene and call those responsible to order, since he is the only person who can stop the confusion.