Wakimwaga pesa, tutamwaga pia! Joho fires at UDA over zoning

The tussle over zoning in the 2027 General Election between ODM and its broad-based partner UDA is shaping into a bitter rivalry, with both sides flexing political muscle ahead of anticipated pre-election coalition talks expected to chart the way forward.

ODM is pushing for an arrangement that would see UDA refrain from fielding candidates in Nyanza, Western and the Coast—regions widely perceived as ODM strongholds—as a condition for continued cooperation with President William Ruto’s government.

UDA has largely rejected the proposal, insisting on an open, competitive process that allows it to field candidates across the country, further straining the partnership.

Speaking in Nairobi on Monday during the ODM Youth Convention at the Jamhuri Grounds, former deputy party leader and Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Hassan Joho said ODM will not cede control of its traditional bastions.

He affirmed that the party will field candidates in all elective positions across its strongholds, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi and Tana River.

"Someone said here that those of us experts who are in government should help the party. I want to tell you now that we will stand with the party through thick and thin. If they come at us, we shall counter them, if they bring it on, we bring it on. If they pour cash, we pour cash," he said.

"Kwani iko nini? Kwani hao pekee yao ndio wako nayo? Wakimwaga tunamwaga. Wakileta, tunaleta. Kama ni mbaya ni mbaya na kama ni noma ni noma."

(What’s the big deal? Are they the only ones who have it? If they pour, we pour. If they bring it on, we bring it on. If it’s bad, it’s bad—and if it’s intense, it’s intense)

The Nairobi youth convention marks the beginning of a series of countrywide engagements targeting young people, as ODM seeks to rebuild momentum ahead of the 2027 polls.

The initiative follows a decision by the party’s Central Committee last week to roll out what it described as a “vigorous and rigorous” programme aimed at rejuvenating, revamping and re-energising its support base nationwide.

Under the plan, youth conventions will be held in 25 counties, with Mombasa set to host the next event on April 26.

The schedule will briefly pause between May 1 and May 3 to allow for a joint National Executive Committee and Parliamentary Group retreat bringing together top party leadership and governors.

The mobilisation drive comes as ODM prepares for talks with UDA on pre-election cooperation, where the party has vowed to push for an equal share of government should they win the 2027 elections.

Speaking on Friday when he met Nyanza church leaders in Kisumu, ODM party leader Oburu Oginga said the agenda for the talks remains under wraps for now, but noted that “this thing called zoning is just one of the tools for achieving what we want.”

UDA has remained largely silent following the backlash triggered by its stance on zoning, which drew sharp criticism from ODM’s Central Committee.

The committee accused some UDA officials of making “unwarranted public remarks.” Some ODM members have gone further, calling for the termination of the MoU with UDA if what they term as continued “disrespect” persists.

In recent days, UDA has stepped up mass recruitment drives, raising concerns within ODM about the potential erosion of its grassroots influence.

UDA secretary general Hassan Omar has dismissed ODM’s push to ring-fence its strongholds, maintaining that every political party has the right to compete nationwide.

He has challenged ODM to test its popularity at the ballot rather than relying on negotiated arrangements.