By FLEVIAN GEOFFREY: The political romance between the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) faced a sharp litmus test today as UDA leaders in Migori County launched a scathing attack on proposals to “zone” the Nyanza region ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Led by Didmus Ogenga, a UDA aspirant for the Nyatike Parliamentary seat, the officials insisted that zoning was not part of the agreement between President William Ruto and the late Raila Odinga.

They argued that cooperation between the parties does not give ODM a mandate to control the President or lock out competition in the region.

Democracy is Not Inherited

The branch leaders argued that the Luo Nyanza region must embrace multi-party democracy, noting that the late Raila Odinga himself fought for the democratic space the country now enjoys.

“If there must be zoning, then we should agree on the number of seats to be taken by ODM and UDA. The only seat we won’t interfere with is the presidency,” stated Ogenga.

His sentiments were echoed by Migori gubernatorial hopeful Byron Oginga and party member Gabriel, who urged ODM stalwarts to shift their focus from “political zoning” to “economic zoning” to ensure development projects reach the grassroots.

The leaders further warned ODM politicians to cease “dragging” the name of Interior Security PS Raymond Omollo into local partisan politics.

They referenced recent friction in Homa Bay County, where Governor Gladys Wanga accused the PS of meddling in the Kasipul by-election.

The UDA team defended the Dr Omllo, urging the community to embrace him as a “son of the soil” rather than an enemy of the party.

“You claim Nyanza is an ODM stronghold, yet you are still dragging the Interior PS into ODM matters and making baseless allegations,” the group stated.

The local outcry follows a stern warning from Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma, who cautioned that fielding UDA candidates in Nyanza would cost President Ruto votes.

However, UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar effectively shut down that argument in a national statement released today, stating that UDA will field candidates in all regions without yielding to the notion of zoning.

He added that leadership is not inherited but is earned through the will of the people.