A Call for Political Freedom and Competition
Presidential hopeful Eliud Owalo has made it clear that he is against the concept of political zoning, calling it outdated and incompatible with Kenya’s multiparty democratic system. His stance comes as a strong argument for greater political freedom and competition across the country.
At the PAG Church National Women’s Convention held at the church headquarters in Nyang’ori, Vihiga County, Owalo emphasized that political zoning limits the ability of Kenyans to choose their leaders freely. He argued that such practices undermine the principles outlined in the 2010 Constitution, which promotes a democratic framework where every citizen has equal opportunities.
“The issue of political zoning is wrong. That’s the bottom line,” Owalo stated firmly. He added, “You cannot say a certain party should exclusively field candidates in a given region, yet we operate under a multiparty democracy.”
Owalo highlighted that when regions are designated as exclusive strongholds for particular parties, it often results in the exclusion of aspiring candidates who fail to secure party tickets. This leaves them without viable platforms to contest leadership positions, effectively sidelining them from the political process.
“The net effect is that anyone who does not get the party ticket falls by the wayside because there is no substitute,” he explained. This, according to Owalo, restricts the diversity of voices in the political arena and limits the choices available to voters.
He called for increased political competition across all regions, urging political parties to field candidates in every part of the country. This, he believes, would provide voters with a broader range of leaders to choose from, ensuring that they can make informed decisions based on merit and performance.
“We need a multiplicity of political parties so that Kenyans can have a variety of choices and a good political menu from which to choose,” Owalo said. He likened politics to a free market, where there is freedom of entry, exit, and choice. In this model, citizens should be able to elect leaders based on their track record and contributions rather than party dominance.
While he expressed no ill will toward any political party, Owalo insisted that no region should be treated as a political preserve. He stressed the importance of allowing as many parties as possible to compete for every position, ensuring that the political landscape remains dynamic and inclusive.
“You cannot subject Kenyans to political monopoly in a given region. Let us have as many parties as possible and candidates for each and every position,” he said.
Owalo also warned that the era of political leaders imposing candidates on voters is over. He noted that Kenyans are now more informed and independent in their decision-making, making it increasingly difficult for leaders to dictate who should run in specific areas.
“The time when individuals would move around dictating who should run where is gone. Kenyans today are very intelligent, and it is not going to happen,” he remarked.
In addition, Owalo cautioned leaders who rely on political monopolies to secure support. He warned that such strategies could lead to rejection in future elections, as Kenyans are likely to hold these leaders accountable for their actions.
“Any leader benefiting from political monopoly is living on borrowed time. Kenyans will teach them a lesson,” he said.
