- Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has dismissed ODM’s push for the 2027 running mate slot, touting his political weight and suitability for the role
- He assured supporters he won’t be sidelined, promising to step forward and make a bold political statement at the right time
- Ruto has consistently praised Kindiki’s temperament and governance expertise, reinforcing his standing amid ODM’s demands
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has taken an indirect jibe at ODM over its continued push for the deputy president seat in 2027.
Source: Twitter
ODM leader Oburu Oginga has maintained that for the party to support President William Ruto in his 2027 re-election bid, his (Ruto’s) running mate ought to be from the Orange party.
Why ODM wants Ruto’s running mate position in 2027
According to Oburu, the party ought to have authority in the next government, far from the arrangement it currently has with the ruling UDA party, which came long after the election.
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He has constantly argued that ODM got into the government through the back door and is there at the mercy of the president.
The Siaya senator noted that the deputy president post would equal the contribution ODM would be making in Ruto’s re-election.
But speaking for the first time on the matter, Kindiki restated his suitability to be Ruto’s running mate, citing his rich political profile and weight.
How Kindiki responded to ODM
Kindiki allayed concerns from his supporters about the likelihood of being sidelined from the presidency in 2027, saying he would come out full force at the right time to claim what is his.
“Let us not be scared by minor things that you hear here and there. We are the real players of politics. They should not judge us by how they see us. We don’t talk much, but we do talk at the right time, he said.
Kindiki rose to the presidency in October 2024 following the impeachment of former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua.
Until then, he had served as the Interior Cabinet Secretary.
While drawing parallels between him and Gachagua, Ruto has often maintained that Kindiki befits the deputy president post owing to his demeanour and temperament, besides being properly educated and informed on critical governance issues.
How Kindiki’s dream of being deputy president was paused
Kindiki’s possibility of being the country’s second in command came up in May 2022 when Ruto was seeking a running mate.
According to the president’s narrations that are on record, his allies, whom he charged with choosing a running mate for him, settled on Kindiki over Gachagua through a vote.
But he (Ruto) chose Gachagua over Kindiki, convincing his team loyalists to endorse his decision.
At the time, Ruto cited Gachagua’s power of political mobilisation and viable strategies.
Their ticket won the presidential vote, ushering in their regime that replaced that of former president Uhuru Kenyatta.
All was well for Ruto and Gachagua until two years later, when their irreconcilable differences culminated in Gachagua’s unceremonious ouster.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
