Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader Oburu Odinga has declared Homa Bay County an exclusive ODM political zone, saying the party will not allow UDA to establish a foothold in the county ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during a thanksgiving ceremony hosted by Homa Bay Woman Representative Joyce Atieno Bensouda on Sunday, Oburu said counties where ODM has governors, Members of Parliament and Members of County Assembly should automatically be recognised as the party’s political zones.
“We want zoning because this is our zone. We don’t want UDA here in Homa Bay,” Oburu said.
He added: “We start with our areas where we have strongholds, where we have our governors, where we have our MPs, where we have our MCAs. Those are our zones automatically without negotiation.”
Oburu said ODM should consolidate its support in its traditional strongholds, including Nyanza, Western, the Coast, Turkana, North Eastern and Maasai regions, as the party prepares for the next General Election.
“We want to work with all the strongholds of ODM. We are going to come together to form the next government as one,” he said.
His remarks are likely to fuel the ongoing debate over political zoning ahead of the 2027 elections, with proponents arguing that it would protect party strongholds, while opponents contend that it could undermine competitive democracy and limit voters’ choices.
The statement also signals ODM’s intention to defend its traditional support bases as political realignments continue to shape the race toward the 2027 General Election.
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