Disputes over electoral zoning are creating significant friction within both President William Ruto’s broad-based alliance and the Opposition coalition as Kenya gears up for the 2027 elections.

• The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) aims for national expansion, while the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) seeks to protect its existing strongholds, leading to unresolved tensions.
• Key figures like Martha Karua and Fred Matiang'i are resisting informal zoning arrangements in the opposition, advocating for open contests to ensure legitimacy.
• The Mt Kenya region has emerged as a critical battleground, with multiple political forces vying for influence, making any zoning attempts particularly volatile.
• A joint committee between UDA and ODM has been formed to manage these disputes and coordinate legislative priorities.