Kenya’s President William Ruto, Deputy President Kindiki Kithure (left), UDA Chairperson Cecily Mbarire (right), and Secretary-General Hassan Omar (far right) during the UDA National Governing Council meeting at State House, Nairobi.
Kenya’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has stepped up its push for safe seats in its traditional political strongholds as part of the conditions to enter any pre-election coalition deal with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), setting the stage for fragile negotiations ahead of the 2027 polls.
ODM leaders, including party chairman Gladys Wanga, have in recent days told supporters at public meetings that their negotiating team will be demanding electoral zoning of regions such as Nyanza, Western and Coast, barring President William Ruto’s UDA from fielding rival candidates.
