ODM Party Leader Oburu Odinga has dismissed claims of a rift between the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), clarifying that coalition negotiations between the two parties have not yet begun.
Addressing the media in Kisumu, Friday, Odinga said reports suggesting a breakdown in talks were misplaced, noting that formal engagement structures have not even been put in place.
“We cannot stop what has not started. Our negotiations with UDA have not started. We have not even formed the negotiating teams,” he said.
His remarks come against the backdrop of growing public debate over zoning, a power-sharing formula often used in coalition arrangements to allocate elective seats among partners and avoid direct competition.
Oburu sought to downplay the controversy, describing zoning as just one of many issues that may feature in future discussions between the two parties.
He stressed that no agreement has been reached and that ongoing public discourse is largely speculative.
“There is no zoning now. These are just issues people are thinking aloud as we prepare for negotiations,” he said.
At the same time, the ODM leader asserted the party’s dominance in several regions, including Nyanza, parts of Western Kenya, the Coast and Nairobi, making it clear the party would not cede ground in its strongholds.
“We are not ready to cede positions we already have. But we are ready to compete fiercely with all other parties, except those we may partner with,” he said.
He explained that zoning, if eventually adopted, would only apply to coalition partners and not within ODM, where members will still face competitive nominations.
In that regard, Odinga announced that the party has opened applications for aspirants seeking various elective seats, assuring members of a transparent and democratic nomination process.
“There will be free and fair nominations in ODM. No one should assume they have an automatic ticket,” he said.
He added that any eventual agreement with UDA would be subject to mutual consent, with all issues including zoning set to be discussed openly once formal talks commence.
“Our partners may agree or not. We will only decide at the end of negotiations,” he said.
The remarks are seen as an attempt to calm tensions within ODM and among its supporters, following concerns that a potential coalition with UDA could lead to imposed candidates through zoning arrangements.
Oburu said he was on very good terms with President William Ruto who is the UDA party leader adding that he will ask him to prevail upon his party officials to stop creating unnecessary tension ahead of the planned talks.
By Chris Mahandara
