DAP-Kenya refutes claims of inking zoning agreement with ODM

The Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) has dismissed reports alleging that the outfit has reached a zoning agreement with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) for fielding candidates in western Kenya.

This is after reports that ODM leader Raila Odinga had inked a gentleman’s agreement with DAP-K that would see the two parties field individual candidates in their respective strongholds in western Kenya.

Through a statement, the Wafula Omunyinyi-led party said it has not reached a zoning agreement with any other party in fielding candidates in western, noting that it has only joined Azimio La Umoja movement.

“While we are working with our partners, all agreements shall be made public by the party itself.

As a party, we believe in democratic competition and complementing each other within Azimio and not being curtailed by anyone in pursuit of the common goal,” read part of the statement.

The party said that it will field candidates in all the seats across the country except the presidency where they are supporting the Azimio candidate Raila Odinga.

Under the arrangement, DAP-K would retain the Bungoma and Trans Nzoia bases while ODM would field candidates in Vihiga and Kakamega.

DAP-K’s major task was to help strengthen Raila’s presidential bid mostly in Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties.

The party associated with Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa had its work cut out and was also expected to checkmate Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula and his allies in the two counties after they joined Deputy President William Ruto in the Kenya Kwanza Alliance in January.

Barely four months after it was launched, DAP-K is not only causing discomfort to Ford Kenya and Kenya Kwanza Alliance, but is also creating headache for the older and more influential sibling ODM.

The party has spread its wings into larger western and neighbouring Nyanza, where Wamalwa and party chairman Wafula Wamunyinyi received Kisii Senator Sam Ongeri from ODM on Monday.