ADVERT 
ADVERTODM leader and Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga has mounted a spirited defence of political zoning, arguing that it is a legitimate strategy for protecting a party’s traditional support base ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking on Sunday, August 2, the veteran politician dismissed criticism of zoning, insisting that every serious political party has a responsibility to safeguard areas where it enjoys overwhelming public support.
“Homa Bay is our zone. We don’t want UDA in Homa Bay,” Oburu declared, making one of the clearest statements yet on ODM’s determination to consolidate its dominance in its traditional strongholds.
Oburu: Strongholds Naturally Become Party Zones
According to the Siaya senator, political zoning is neither a new nor controversial concept but a natural consequence of electoral success.
ADVERTHe explained that regions where a party has elected governors, Members of Parliament and Members of County Assembly automatically become its political zones, eliminating the need for negotiations over influence.
“Some people say we don’t want zoning. If you don’t want zoning, what do you want? We want zoning because Homa Bay is our zone. We don’t want UDA in Homa Bay,” he stated.
Oburu argued that political parties must first consolidate areas where they already command overwhelming support before seeking to expand into new territories.
“We start with our areas where we have strongholds, where we have our governors, where we have our MPs and where we have our MCAs. Those are our zones automatically without negotiation,” he added.
Fresh Signal Ahead of 2027 Political Battle
Oburu’s remarks come as political parties intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 General Election, with ODM and UDA expected to battle fiercely for influence across the country.
While ODM remains dominant in much of Nyanza, UDA has in recent months stepped up recruitment drives and political activities in regions traditionally considered ODM strongholds.
The zoning debate has increasingly become a contentious issue, with supporters arguing it helps parties preserve their political identity and organisational strength, while critics contend it could limit political competition and voter choice.
Grassroots Will Decide ODM Candidates
Oburu has also reiterated that securing an ODM nomination will depend solely on grassroots support rather than connections within the party leadership.
Addressing aspirants in June, he urged those seeking ODM tickets to concentrate on winning the confidence of ordinary members instead of lobbying influential figures at the party headquarters.
“The power is not at the headquarters. It is with the party members at the grassroots,” he said.
He maintained that aspirants who secure the backing of grassroots members would automatically become the party’s official candidates.
“Power lies at the grassroots, and once you are nominated there, you will be our candidate,” he said.
Promise of Neutral ODM Nominations
The veteran politician further assured party supporters that the ODM leadership would remain neutral during the nomination process, promising that no aspirant would receive preferential treatment because of personal relationships or political influence.
“I am not going to favour anybody. Nobody is going to hang on my coat. I want everybody to go to the people and get their tickets directly from the people,” Oburu affirmed.
His comments are expected to reassure aspiring candidates who have previously expressed concerns over fairness in party nominations, while reinforcing ODM’s message that the party’s grassroots membership—not its top leadership—will ultimately determine who flies the Orange Democratic Movement flag in the 2027 elections.
With succession politics already taking shape across the country, Oburu’s latest remarks underscore ODM’s strategy of defending its traditional political bastions even as rival parties seek to make inroads into regions long regarded as the party’s electoral heartland.
