Zoning in ODM strongholds is non-negotiable ahead of the planned pre-election coalition talks with President William Ruto’s UDA party, MP George Aladwa has said.
The Makadara MP who is also the ODM party chairman for Nairobi County said UDA must respect political boundaries and avoid fielding candidates in
areas they consider firmly under the orange party's influence.
Such an approach would help streamline
competition and reduce internal vote splitting among allied formations, he said.
Aladwa spoke during a press briefing at Posta Assembly PAG
Church in his Makadara constituency on Sunday.
“We will not have shortcuts on zoning. Zoning must be there. We
have told (party leader) Oburu to stick to zoning,” Aladwa said.
He maintained that all wards, constituencies, and county
elective positions currently held by ODM must be left to the outfit.
“As ODM members and MPs, we are saying that (zoning) is our position,
and that position must be respected."
Zoning is aimed at minimising rivalry
in select regions while consolidating votes for maximum gains in parliamentary,
gubernatorial, and ward seats.
“The strategy is to ensure that we do not split votes
unnecessarily and instead maximise our chances of winning as many seats as
possible in the next elections,” he said.
Aladwa demanded that UDA surrenders Nairobi governor's seat to
ODM in exchange for supporting Ruto’s re-election bid.
“Mombasa is ODM, but Nairobi is UDA (governor). But we are
saying that we are supporting Ruto for President, Kithure Kindiki
for Deputy President. They must now give us Nairobi,” he said.
Meanwhile, Aladwa launched a fresh political attack on
former Deputy President and DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua.
He accused Gachagua of undermining national unity and displaying
what he termed as political immaturity following his remarks regarding last
week’s Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi.
Aladwa condemned Gachagua
over comments made during the Summit, which was attended by global leaders,
including French President Emmanuel Macron.
He said the remarks were unfortunate and ill-timed, given
the country’s efforts to attract foreign investment.
“At a time when Kenya was hosting global investors and world
leaders seeking partnerships, it was unfortunate that Gachagua chose to
engage in divisive politics instead of projecting patriotism and national
unity,” Aladwa said in a statement.
He added that international summits should be used to
promote Kenya’s economic agenda rather than advance political grievances.
Such occasions are critical in
strengthening investor confidence and showcasing Kenya as a stable investment
destination.
Gachagua had launched a scathing attack on Ruto and Macron,
linking the French president's visit to Kenya for the summit to the controversial
cancellation of the Rironi-Mau Summit Road project.
Gachagua accused both leaders of corruption, alleging that Sh7
billion was wrongfully paid out to French firms as a settlement
But Aladwa said Gachagua’s remarks risk damaging the
country’s international image and sending the wrong signal to potential
investors.
“Leadership demands restraint and wisdom. You cannot claim
to love your country while embarrassing it before international guests,” he
stated.
He defended Ruto, saying he deserved respect during international engagements, especially when hosting
dignitaries such as Macron and other global leaders.
The Makadara MP urged political leaders to
prioritise national interest over partisan politics, warning that continued
political attacks could derail development efforts.
“Patriotism must come before political competition. Kenya must always come first,” he said.
