- Public Service Minister Geoffrey Ruku has rejected ODM leader Oburu Oginga’s statement that the party is aiming for the Deputy President seat in 2027
- Ruku stressed that although Mt Kenya is open to working with ODM under a wider government, the DP’s position is non-negotiable
- He formed a partnership with ODM and other parties as a strategy to ensure national unity and equal governance
Public Service Minister Geoffrey Ruku has rejected the call of Siaya senator Oburu Oginga and the Orange Democratic Movement to claim the seat of Deputy President in 2027.
Source: Facebook
Ruku’s remarks come a day after the ODM leader sought to clarify the party’s position on a possible alliance with the President’s Democratic Union William Ruto.
Early Poisonous On Monday, February 2, Oburu appeared to downplay ODM’s interest in the deputy president.
However, Oburu’s position changed on Wednesday, February 11, during a meeting in Mombasa, where he insisted his earlier statements were misinterpreted.
Cheered on by ODM members, the Siaya senator explained that the party is targeting the office of the deputy president.
He explained that their desire is not fueled by personal enmity against the Deputy President Kithur Kindikisaying that the DP seat is a public position open to all.
How did Ruku criticize Oburu?
Speaking on Thursday, February 12, during the Special Awareness Meeting for Shauri Fire Victims in Manyatta constituency, Ruku made it clear that the DP’s position has not been discussed.
The minister explained that Mt Kenya region was ready to work with ODM and other allied parties under the umbrella of the wider government. He mentioned working with ODM in the government as the best solution to ensure that every part of the country gets a piece of the national cake.
“We have heard the leader of the ODM party, Senator Oburu, announcing that the ODM party wants the position of Deputy President in 2027. We want to tell you this while we are here in this corner of Mount Kenya. ODM, we have accepted that we are part of a wider government, and we will work within the government of President William Ruto as a wider administration to promote the unity of our nation, Kenya, and ensure that the government serves the people fairly,” he said.
When can ODM get the DP seat?
However, the former MP for Mbeere Kasakini drew a red line in cooperation with ODM, insisting that the DP seat was not open for any discussion.
He said that Kindiki will remain in office after 2027, adding that any ambition of ODM will wait until 2032.
Ruku suggested that the ODM party will only get the DP seat in 2032 as Kindiki’s deputy, emphasizing the DP’s ambition to succeed Ruto.
“If the ODM party wants the position of Deputy President, we are ready to give them the position of Deputy President in 2032 when Kithure Kindiki becomes the President of Kenya. We will find someone from their side to be the Deputy President, but at the moment, the position of Deputy President is not clear. In 2027, the position of Deputy President will be held by our Kithure Kindiki,” he added.
Source: Facebook
ODM will get liver in the deal with UDA?
In a related report, ODM’s central management committee allowed the party leader to begin talks with the ruling UDA for a possible deal ahead of the 2027 elections.
Oburu said the party will participate in many political groups as it prepares for the elections, noting that the consultations organized by the members would precede the national meeting of delegates.
Some senior officials of ODM, including Edwin Sifuna and Godfrey Osotsi, were not present and opposed working with the UDA.
Analysts indicated that although the position of deputy president was unlikely, ODM could get high positions in the government such as the Chief Secretary of the Council of Ministers or the Speaker of the National Assembly.
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