Oburu’s ODM Blasts UDA Over Infiltrating ‘Their’ Zone, Demands Respect
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has demanded respect from its broad-based partner, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
This move escalates tensions between the two outfits over zoning ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement read by acting secretary general Catherine Omanyo on Thursday following a Central Committee meeting, ODM accused senior UDA officials of making “unwarranted public utterances” that risk causing anxiety within its ranks.
“As a Party that believes in its principles, ideology, and the foundation on which it was founded, we demand respect from the UDA party,” the committee said.
We demand RESPECT… pic.twitter.com/W3pzaN0N71
— The ODM Party (@TheODMparty) April 16, 2026
The hardline stance underscores a widening rift between the two parties, which are increasingly seen to be reading from different scripts on pre-election arrangements.
At the centre of the dispute is ODM’s push for zoning—an arrangement where coalition partners agree not to field competing candidates in certain regions—particularly in its perceived strongholds.
UDA has firmly rejected the proposal. Speaking in Kilifi on April 4, UDA secretary general Hassan Omar dismissed the idea, insisting that every party has the right to field candidates nationwide.
“ODM are saying the Coast is their stronghold and it should be left to them,” Omar said.
Hassan Omar was saying Coast is a UDA stronghold and ODM is a small party. With many aspirants now ready to vie on the UDA ticket in Luo land, ODM has been reduced to a briefcase party. pic.twitter.com/6HEHFEEmmF
— The Mayor (@themayor_ke) April 8, 2026
“I want to tell them that the Coast region belongs to its residents. They should allow us to compete fairly.”
“If you believe this is your stronghold, then why are you worried? Come, campaign, and win. There is no problem,” he added.
ODM leaders, however, have doubled down on zoning as a non-negotiable bare minimum in any future arrangement with William Ruto’s party.
Speaking in Kisumu on April 6, party chairperson Gladys Wanga emphasised that zoning would form part of the pre-conditions for engagement.
“If we are going for negotiations, we are going as equal partners, not as a weaker party,” Wanga said.
Other ODM MPs supported the stance, maintaining that they will not allow the UDA party to field candidates in ODM strongholds.
“There is no negotiation when it comes to zoning,” said Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi.
"We are ready to die for zoning, there is no negotiation when it comes to zoning. We are not going to allow UDA to plant candidates in Luo Nyanza and other ODM strongholds!"~Sam Atandi lectures Omar Hassan, UDA SG pic.twitter.com/1qBrbr2mlj
— Lightcast TV Kenya (@Lightcasttvke) April 5, 2026
*Because we are not going to allow UDA to plant candidates here in Muhoroni. All our party strongholds, all those strongholds are reserved for ODM.”
Kisumu County woman representative Ruth Odinga said ODM was “not going to sing songs of praise to anybody” because the party was strong and “can field everybody everywhere.”
Beyond the simmering dispute, the Central Committee outlined an aggressive mobilisation strategy targeting young voters, signalling a broader effort to re-energise the party machinery ahead of 2027.
The committee announced a series of youth conventions to be held across 25 counties, beginning with Nairobi on April 20, followed by Mombasa on April 26.
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The initiative, it said, is aimed at “rejuvenating, revamping, and re-energizing the Party.”
“We have no choice but to make bigger our identity, which remains in the hearts of the majority of Kenyans,” the party said.
The committee said it will suspend the engagements from Friday, May 1 and Sunday, May 3, for a joint National Executive Committee (NEC) and Parliamentary Group (PG) meeting and governors retreat.
At the grassroots level, ODM reported that its internal elections are 98 per cent complete, commending the process as peaceful, transparent, and verifiable.
It urged members in areas where the exercise remains unresolved to utilise internal dispute resolution mechanisms to conclude the process.
The committee further assured supporters that upcoming party nominations will be free and fair, stressing that there will be “no sacred cows” for any elective position as it prepares for the next electoral cycle.
Oburu’s ODM Blasts UDA Over Infiltrating ‘Their’ Zone, Demands Respect
