Ochieng' Omolo

All political parties have their strongholds and bases in mature democracies. In the United States, we have Red States and Blue States with a few swing states. So is the case with Europe where we’ve distinct Labour and Conservative Party strongholds. The situation is the same in Africa: from South Africa to Egypt and from West Africa to East Africa. And this is so whether political parties go it alone or form coalitions like we did in 2013, 2017 and 2022. In 2013, although the ODM Party, Ford Kenya, Wiper and other Parties formed the CORD Coalition, each party had their distinct regions of influence. So was the case with NASA Coalition in 2017 and the Azimio Coalition in 2022. This is because Coalitions need to win majority seats in leadership to effectively run government just as individual Political parties also have interests to safeguard before and after elections. This is the reason as to why Coalitions normally field only one candidate, usually from the most influential political party, in each electoral unit. A coalition which wins an election but with few MPs can’t have its Cabinet and State Officers approved, cannot have budget and will risk having its President, Deputy President, Governors, Ministers and State Officers impeached or removed from office. Individual political parties, whether in a coalition or otherwise, fight to have good numbers in leadership. If in a coalition, political parties fight to have own members to obviate being shortchanged after elections and to pursue interests that are specific to each party, like devolution, inclusivity and human rights are to the ODM Party. The ODM Party will only enter into pre-election coalition with parties that recognize its strongholds and respects the democratic need to have the party remain strong before and after elections. Our coalition partner(s) have to keep off our strongholds before and after elections. This is non-negotiable. And let no one lecture us about the merits or demerits of zoning. We know better what is good for our party and what is right for our people. You will either accept “zoning” as a precondition to our pre-election coalition talks, or leave us alone. We can’t make and continue to make all sacrifices to stabilize this government, and allow our people to be confused by UDA sangwenyas at the same time! For the avoidance of doubt, the ODM Party will have its presidential candidate in all future elections - whether in coalition with other parties or alone. Dr. Oburu Oginga is the ODM Party Presidential Candidate now. Hon. George Peter Kaluma, CBS. MP. The ODM Party Chairman HOMA BAY COUNTY.

While supporting Naivasha/Kisumu/ Malava SGR in principle, why launch Kisumu/Malava before completing construction of Naivasha/Kisumu? Shouldn't all available resources be made available to one section at a time?