ODM party leader Oburu Oginga has denied targeting Kithure Kindiki’s position as Deputy President, emphasizing that he regards him as a friend, not a rival.
Speaking during a NYOTA disbursement event in Kisumu on Monday, February 2, Oginga assured that Kindiki’s position in government was secure, even as negotiations between ODM and President Ruto’s UDA intensify.
The clarification comes after a past interview in which Oginga identified the Deputy President’s seat as one of the key points in any potential coalition agreement ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Oburu Odinga Denies Eyeing Kindiki’s Deputy President Position, Calls Him a Friend. Photo: Courtesy.
Oginga’s remarks have sparked intense debate over Kithure Kindiki’s prospects of becoming Ruto’s running mate in the upcoming elections, with Kindiki having assumed the Deputy President role following the impeachment of his predecessor, Rigathi Gachagua.
The Deputy President slot is seen as a critical bargaining point that could significantly shape the outcome of the 2027 polls, potentially impacting both Ruto and the United Opposition should ODM decide to part ways with the President and mount a challenge.
As pre-election coalition talks between ODM and UDA take shape, senior ODM officials, including national chairperson Gladys Wanga, have publicly advocated for a 50-50 power-sharing arrangement, effectively calling for an equal split of government positions and influence should a coalition materialize.
Other party leaders have emphasized that they will not accept a coalition that fails to reflect ODM’s weight in government and national politics.
The current negotiations build on the broader UDA-ODM agreement anchored on a 10-point agenda endorsed by former party leader Raila Odinga in March 2025.
