As the 2027 presidential contest draws closer, pressure is already piling on President William Ruto to name his preferred running mate. The arithmetic, however, is complicated, since Ruto is wooing the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) for a pre-election pact. On Sunday, February 15, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki broke his silence on the matter, directly telling off those salivating for his position. Kindiki, a professor of law, was categorical that his seat was going nowhere, in what appeared to be a direct response to ODM leader Oburu Oginga’s remarks.
In his address on Sunday in Kariene town, Central Imenti Constituency, Meru County, Kindiki, who has been Ruto’s deputy since November 2024, stated that he is focused on executing his duties while supporting his boss in his bid for a second term.
“I am the Deputy President. This seat is going nowhere, and when we are done with the second term, we will progress ahead in search of a higher office,” Kindiki stated.
Kindiki stated that he is a veteran politician with political know-how and cannot be dragged into engaging in idle talk.
According to Kindiki, completing the ongoing project will ensure that the lives of the people are better.
“It is about what you have done for the people because at the end it will be what you delivered to them,” he insisted.
During his address, he mentioned a few of the developments in Meru that include road projects, upgrading of Meru Referral Hospital to Level, the
Oburu says ODM candidate to be Ruto’s running mate
In turn of events, the Oburu Oginga has stated that the party will not accept any position below the deputy president position if they are to make any pre-election deal with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
His demand contradicted his initial statement in Kisumu, where he had stated that the ODM party was only looking to hold a dialogue to advance the party`s agenda.
“The Deputy President’s seat is the one we are targeting the most. What I said was that we have no personal animosity towards the Deputy President, but his seat is a public seat,” he said.
The ODM party is aiming for the Deputy President’s seat.
On Sunday, during a rally at the Tononoka Grounds, ODM leaders fronted Mining Cabinet Secretary as their preferred candidate for the running mate position, further complicating matters for Ruto.
Also Read: ODM Gets Messy and Noisy as Sifuna, Junet Lock Horns
Mt. Kenya Leaders Demand
On the other hand, Mount Kenya leaders loyal to UDA, however, rejected Oburu’s demands, saying the seat was non-negotiable.
According to the Mt. Kenya leaders who spoke separately in Kiambu, Tharaka Nithi, and Meru, they are solidly behind Kindiki, and ODM will not dictate the terms.
“Should ODM insist that they want to remain in broad-based government, we are willing to make one big compromise and lend them Kindiki to be in ODM and remain the deputy president,” Muthomi Njuki, Tharaka Nithi governor, said.
Also Read: Ruto Details How He Has Put Kenya on Global Map in a Bold Diplomatic Scorecard
Former Deputy Rigathi Gachagua warned both the ODM and the UDA during his rallies on Sunday that neither would be in office.
According to Gachagua, whether the DP position is given to Oburu or Kindiki, they will still go home.
President Ruto is seeking to inherit former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s voting bloc, but it won’t be a walk in the park.
Already, an ODM splinter group led by the embattled Secretary General Edwin Sifuna is leading an onslaught, calling for the rejection of Ruto’s deal with ODM.
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