ODM addresses claims of striking Coast region seat-sharing deal with UDA

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has categorically denied circulating an alleged seat-sharing agreement with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ahead of the 2027 General Election. In a tweet on its official X account, the ODM labeled the document as "FAKE News" and urged followers to disregard it. The document, which purportedly outlined a deal between ODM and UDA on candidate selection for governor, senator, and women representative positions in the six Coast counties, has been debunked by the ODM as false.

According to the document, ODM would secure the Mombasa governor and women representative seats, while UDA would take the senator position. In Kwale, UDA would hold the governor and senator seats, with ODM receiving the women representative position. All three top county seats in Kilifi were claimed by ODM, while all three positions in Tana River, Lamu, and Taita Taveta were assigned to UDA.

Despite the ODM's rejection of the document, political cooperation between the two parties continues in the run-up to the 2027 elections. Both parties are engaged in discussions on a formal pre-election arrangement, making the allocation of political seats a matter of public interest. The importance of the Coast region in the upcoming political contest has heightened the scrutiny on these negotiations.