No UDA in Nyanza as Ruto, Oburu agree on zoning for 2027 contest

*ODM party leader Dr Oburu Oginga addressing a rally in Siaya*

UDA will not field candidates in Nyanza after President William Ruto and ODM boss Oburu Oginga reportedly agreed on zoning for the 2027 polls.

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The Star has established that Oburu disclosed the plan to his allies during a closed-door meeting of Luo Nyanza politicians on Saturday.

The meeting was held at the home of Alego Usonga MP Sam Atandi in Siaya county, ahead of a regional rally.

The leaders resolved that Nyanza would be treated as an ODM zone, with the party expected to dominate political contests in the region.

“Yes, it was agreed that there is going to be zoning. We have said Nyanza is an ODM zone and it will be left to ODM. Other parties allied to us will not field candidates in the region,” Atandi said.

As part of the agreement, the ODM leadership plans to reintegrate politicians who had previously fallen out with the party over their association with President William Ruto before the broad-based government arrangement.

The move targets a group of ODM legislators who had been perceived as rebels but have recently sought reconciliation with the party.

Those cited include Rongo MP Paul Abuor, Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwour, Uriri MP Mark Nyamita, Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo, Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda, Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris, Suba South MP Caroli Omondi and Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda.

“They have always been part of us, but have not felt fully at home. We now want to bring them back, especially those who have complied with party conditions and even paid the required fines,” a legislator who attended the meeting told the Star.

Some of the MPs such as Abuor have since complied with the party's disciplinary committee's conditions, including payment of fines, and have already been reintegrated into the outfit.

Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo confirmed that zoning was part of the discussions but said the arrangement was yet to be formally ratified.

“We have agreed in principle, but it is not conclusive. A formal announcement will be made after wider consultations,” he said.

To firm up the plan, Oburu has convened a duol — an informal meeting of Luo political leaders — scheduled for Wednesday, when all elected and aspiring leaders from the region are expected to endorse the strategy.

In a further sign of reconciliation efforts, former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo, who had joined rival political formations including UDA, has been welcomed back into the ODM fold.

“Gumbo is back with us. We want everyone on board because anyone outside ODM will have very slim chances in Nyanza,” Atandi said.

He added that despite the zoning arrangement, all aspirants, including sitting leaders, would be subjected to competitive and transparent party primaries ahead of the 2027 polls.

The zoning plan, however, is likely to spark resistance from leaders allied to smaller parties who want to field candidates in the region.

Ugenya MP David Ochieng, who leads the Movement for Democracy and Growth (MDG), has been advocating for an open political space.

Atandi said ODM would engage MDG and other parties in structured talks to harmonise participation in the elections.

“We will have a formal arrangement with MDG and any other party that wishes to field candidates so that we avoid unnecessary conflicts,” he said.

Within ODM, the zoning proposal has elicited mixed reactions.

While a group of leaders led by party chairperson Gladys Wanga has been pushing for the declaration of Nyanza as an ODM zone, others warn that restricting competition could suppress voter turnout.

Low turnout could potentially undermine President Ruto’s reelection prospects in a region he is seeking to penetrate.

Political analysts say the emerging pact signals a strategic alignment between Ruto’s allies and a section of ODM leadership.