Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party leader Oburu Odinga has escalated the party’s political rivalry with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), declaring that Nyanza remains an ODM stronghold and warning that the ruling party has no political space in the region.
Speaking at a political gathering in Homa Bay County on Sunday, August 2, 2026, Oburu defended ODM’s push for political zoning, arguing that the party has a legitimate right to protect areas where it enjoys overwhelming support before expanding its engagement to other regions.
“Some people say we don’t want zoning. If you don’t want zoning, what do you want? We want zoning because this is our zone. Is Homa Bay not our zone? We don’t want UDA here in Homa Bay,” he said.
Oburu argued that counties where ODM has consistently elected governors, Members of Parliament and Members of County Assembly should automatically be regarded as the party’s political strongholds.
“We start with our areas where we have strongholds, where we have our governors, where we have our MPs and where we have our MCAs. Those are our zones automatically without negotiations. We are saying that here in our area, we should always take the leadership positions. Why should you be shy?” he added.
The veteran politician also called for greater unity among ODM supporters across its traditional support bases, saying the party intends to strengthen cooperation with leaders and supporters in Western Kenya, North Eastern, Turkana, the Coast region and Maasai areas as it prepares for the 2027 General Election.
“We want to work with all ODM strongholds—Western, Northeastern, Turkana, the Coast and Maasai areas. We want all of us to work together,” he said.
Oburu’s remarks come amid growing debate within the broad-based political arrangement between ODM and UDA, as senior ODM leaders continue to push for the party to secure the Deputy President’s position should the alliance remain intact ahead of the 2027 General Election.
