Oburu Odinga Responds to Claims He Is Targeting Kindiki’s Deputy President Position
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Oburu Odinga has finally spoken out over claims that he is seeking to take over Deputy President Kithure Kindiki’s position as coalition talks between ODM and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) intensify ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking in Kisumu County during the issuance of Nyota Funds, Oburu appeared alongside President William Ruto and Deputy President Kindiki. He used the occasion to dismiss reports suggesting that he or ODM was plotting to push Kindiki out of office as part of the ongoing negotiations between the two parties.
Oburu was clear that ODM had no intention of removing the current deputy president from his position. He stressed that Kindiki remains a friend of the party and that there was no personal or political agenda aimed at unseating him.
According to Oburu, the talks are not about taking what belongs to others but ensuring fairness in political arrangements.
“We are not going to ask for less than what we deserve. But deputy president, do not think that we want your seat or that we want to remove you. You are our friend,” Oburu stated.
However, while ruling out any plan to remove Kindiki, Oburu did not completely dismiss the possibility of ODM fielding a deputy president candidate in the 2027 elections.
He said the party must negotiate firmly for what it believes is its rightful share, both for the party and the communities it represents. He emphasized that ODM would not accept unfair treatment but would also not grab positions meant for others.
Oburu explained that the negotiations would be guided by fairness and mutual respect, adding that ODM would push strongly for what it feels it deserves without undermining its partners.
His remarks come at a time when political speculation has been growing, with reports suggesting that ODM was eyeing the deputy president’s position as part of talks for a possible power-sharing agreement with President Ruto’s UDA party.
The debate intensified on Sunday, February 1, when ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga stated that the party would only consider a coalition with UDA if it was guaranteed a 50-50 share of government in 2027.
Her comments sparked public discussion on which key government positions could be affected, with the deputy president’s seat emerging as one of the most talked-about possibilities.
Further fueling the speculation was President Ruto’s address during the UDA National Governing Council (NGC) meeting.
While he assured party members that the presidency would remain firmly under UDA, he did not mention the deputy president’s position. This silence raised eyebrows and added to fears that Kindiki’s future could be uncertain.
In November 2025, Oburu had earlier remarked that ODM would not settle for any position lower than the deputy president’s slot if it entered coalition negotiations. That statement has continued to resurface as talks between ODM and UDA gain momentum.
With his latest comments, Oburu appears to have eased fears surrounding Kindiki’s position, offering reassurance that the deputy president is not under immediate threat.
At the same time, ODM is expected to push for other influential roles within a potential Ruto-led government as negotiations continue.
During the Kisumu meeting, Oburu also turned his attention to the opposition, criticizing it for lacking a clear and workable strategy to defeat President Ruto in the 2027 elections.
He questioned how the opposition expects to win if it is not actively engaging or raising concerns across all regions of the country.
He praised President Ruto’s development programmes, saying they are designed to benefit Kenyans across the nation.
Oburu further assured the president that any negotiations would be conducted peacefully and transparently, with the goal of creating a clear political path ahead of the next general election.
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