Senator Mungatana opposes zoning ahead of UDA-ODM talks

Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana has vehemently opposed the implementation of party zoning within the emerging UDA-ODM political partnership prior to the 2027 General Election. Speaking on a television breakfast show on August 26, 2026, Mungatana advocated for candidates to compete in contested areas unless such an action jeopardized the coalition's prospects of victory.

The senator emphasized the importance of allowing candidates to run unless their presence posed a threat to the coalition’s electoral success. Mungatana is supportive of the coalition's stance of avoiding zoning altogether. The two parties have already established a 10-member committee, with five members each appointed by ODM and UDA.

This committee is tasked with drafting a joint manifesto to present to Kenyan voters ahead of the elections. Additionally, a second committee is being formed to establish the coalition's political framework and decide on their approach for the 2027 polls. The senator highlighted the need for careful consideration when handling competitive races in major political hubs like Nairobi and Mombasa, particularly where candidates from both parties could potentially split votes.

Mungatana stated that party zoning should not be the default approach, suggesting that candidates should be allowed to run unless it jeopardizes the coalition's chances of winning. However, the senator acknowledged that political compromises might be necessary in certain scenarios, such as when having candidates from both parties competing in the same race could result in victory for an opposing party.

In such cases, one candidate may need to step aside to preserve the coalition's electoral prospects. The senator noted that these decisions could impact contests for various seats, including Member of County Assembly, Member of Parliament, Senate, and governor positions. The coalition is particularly focused on safeguarding its numbers in key political centers like Nairobi, where the influx of new political entrants could significantly alter the electoral landscape.