The UDA party officials in Homa Bay County have opposed the proposals to adopt zoning of electoral areas in the coalition talks with the ODM Party.
The officials said zoning of Nyanza Region in favour of ODM Party will jeopardize the chances of the coalition’s presidential candidate getting maximum votes in next year’s general elections.
The officials led by UDA Party Homa Bay Town Constituency Chairman Franklin Oluoch argued that zoning will cause voter apathy, reducing the presidential vote.
However, their argument contrasts sharply with the position of the local ODM party leadership.
The ODM leaders want zoning adopted in Nyanza, which is its stronghold, ahead of the General Election.
Speaking during a meeting at the County UDA Head Offices in Homa Bay Town, the officials said zoning will disadvantage President Ruto in seeking his re-election.
Oluoch said the meeting resolved that zoning was politically unhealthy for UDA.
“The meeting of UDA officials and aspirants in Homa Bay Town Constituency has resolved to object to zoning,” Oluoch said.
Oluoch explained that the party is committed to ensuring a level playing ground for both ODM and UDA candidates.
He argued that it was through the competition that the UDA would become stronger in the region.
“We need a common playground for all political candidates. We are strengthening our party, UDA, and it is our commitment to win as many elective seats as possible in this region next year,” Oluoch said.
Party official Michael Kojo argued that zoning will work against the gains made by the UDA party in Nyanza region.
He said that it was important to deter any actions that could prevent members of the party from participating in the election.
“The moment you deny a UDA candidate from vying for a seat, it means their supporters will hardly turn out to vote. This is going to harm our presidential candidate, Dr Ruto,” Kojo noted.
He added that the results of their efforts in strengthening UDA, will be known through the party’s performance in the election.
“We are confident that the efforts we are putting in place to strengthen UDA will pay off,” Kojo added.
In Suba North Constituency, the UDA Chairman, Okuku Miregi, told ODM candidates to prepare for stiff competition from UDA broad-based coalition partners.
Miregi said ODM officials should not fear competition by demanding zoning. “It is cowardly to fear competition in politics through zoning. Let them prepare for stiff competition from UDA,” Miregi challenged.
by Davis Langat
