By KPC Reporter
Hillary Alila, Party Leader of the Green Congress of Kenya, has intensified his criticism of political zoning, describing it as unconstitutional, exclusionary, and a direct affront to Kenya’s democratic ideals.
In a statement, Alila maintained that zoning arrangements—where political actors informally agree to reserve certain regions for specific parties or candidates—have no legal grounding under the Constitution of Kenya.
He warned that such practices erode the sovereignty of the electorate by limiting genuine political competition.
“No political party, no coalition, and no individual has the constitutional authority to zone any region of this country and deny its people the democratic right to choose their own leaders,” he said, adding that Kenya’s democratic space must remain open and competitive at all times.
Alila anchored his argument on four key pillars, elaborating that democracy must remain the cornerstone of Kenya’s political system.
He stressed that leadership choices must always rest with the people, not political elites meeting behind closed doors.
According to him, any attempt to pre-determine electoral outcomes through zoning undermines the very essence of democratic governance.
On multiparty democracy, Alila argued that Kenya’s political landscape was deliberately designed to allow diverse parties to compete freely across the country.
He noted that restricting parties to specific regions not only weakens political pluralism but also denies voters the benefit of alternative ideas and leadership options.
“Every party has the right to compete in every corner of Kenya,” he said, emphasizing that national unity is strengthened—not threatened—by inclusive political participation.
Addressing the issue of open elections, the Green Congress leader cautioned against what he termed as the “locking out” of regions from competitive politics.
He said no part of Kenya should be treated as the political preserve of any individual, party, or coalition.
Such practices, he argued, risk entrenching political monopolies and alienating voters who may wish to support alternative candidates.
Alila further underscored the supremacy of the Constitution, noting that it guarantees equal political rights to all Kenyans regardless of their location or affiliation.
He warned that any informal agreements that contradict constitutional provisions are null and void, insisting that the rule of law must prevail over political expediency.
“The Constitution is clear—it protects every Kenyan’s right to make political choices freely and without coercion. These rights cannot be negotiated away in boardrooms,” he said.
Reiterating his party’s position, Alila declared that the Green Congress of Kenya will not take part in any arrangements that curtail democratic freedoms.
He affirmed that the party will field candidates across the country and allow voters to decide through the ballot.
“We will field candidates, we will compete, and we will let the people decide. Kenya belongs to Kenyans—not to zones,” he said.
His remarks come amid growing political realignments and behind-the-scenes negotiations ahead of future elections, where zoning has increasingly featured as a strategy among some political formations.