Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula has rejected party-zoning proposals under the broad-based political arrangement, insisting all parties must be free to field candidates in the upcoming elections.

He said the arrangement between UDA and ODM should not be used to restrict political competition.

“The broad-based arrangement should not be misinterpreted to mean an agreement to deny political parties the opportunity to field candidates, but one whose main aim was to stabilise the country. The two parties will engage in friendly fire,” Savula said.

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He declared that UDA would field candidates for all elective seats across the country, adding that ODM should do the same.

The deputy governor spoke during the commissioning of classrooms at Handidi Comprehensive School in Isukha North ward, Shinyalu subcounty.

Savula said zoning regions for specific political parties would limit voters' choices, denying them their constitutional right to pick leaders of their preference.

His declaration that UDA will field candidates everywhere is expected to fuel debate over party competition and the future of the broad-based political arrangement.

ODM has insisted the party should be allowed to field candidates in its strongholds, except for the presidency.

Savula also revealed that UDA will hold ward-level elections on October 3, followed by a grassroots sensitisation programme beginning October 21.

“The programme will strengthen the party's grassroots structures and prepare it for the 2027 contest. UDA is expanding its presence in Western, a region historically associated with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and ODM,” he said.

The deputy governor said UDA's strategy was aimed at consolidating the Western vote behind President William Ruto, while building stronger party structures across the region.

Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka, who is the Western region presidential campaign coordinator, alongside MPs Fred Ikana (Shinyalu) and Kakai Bisau (Kiminini), attended the event.

Ikana highlighted development projects undertaken by the Kenya Kwanza administration, saying the government's record would provide a basis for assessing its performance.

Bisau said the Western region should support Ruto’s re-election to strategically position itself for the presidential succession race in 2032.

Instant Analysis

Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula’s rejection of zoning exposes growing friction within the UDA-ODM broad-based arrangement. By insisting on open competition and declaring full UDA grassroots mobilisation in Western Kenya, Savula signals an aggressive strategy to weaken ODM’s traditional stronghold ahead of 2027, despite national co-operation efforts.