Oburu Oginga Addresses Claims ODM Wants Kindiki’s DP Position
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Oburu Oginga has moved to calm tensions by directly addressing Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, insisting that his party has no intention of targeting the deputy presidency as negotiations with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) gain momentum ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking at a NYOTA (National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement) disbursement event in Kisumu on Monday, February 2, 2026, Oginga struck a conciliatory tone toward Kindiki while emphasizing ODM’s commitment to securing a fair deal for its supporters.
Direct Assurance to Kindiki
“Let me make it very clear to my brother, the Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, that ODM is not after your job,” Oginga said. “Your position as the Deputy President to President William Ruto is intact. We are not negotiating positions; we are negotiating issues that matter to our people.”
He added: “As we move forward, we are not going to look for less. However, Mr. Deputy President (Kindiki), do not think that we want your seat or that we want to kick you out. Please, you are our friend, but as we negotiate, we are going to negotiate what our people deserve.”
The remarks come as ODM and UDA intensify pre-election discussions, building on the broad-based cooperation framework established earlier.
Earlier Stance Sparks Speculation
Oginga’s latest comments appear to soften his position from late 2025, when he declared in interviews that ODM would not accept anything less than the deputy presidency in any coalition arrangement. “If we have to go for a lower position, it must not be lower than number two (deputy president) in any formation. That is my take. We should not take less than that,” he stated at the time.
Those earlier remarks fueled widespread debate about Kindiki’s future as Ruto’s potential running mate in 2027. Kindiki ascended to the deputy presidency following the impeachment of his predecessor, Rigathi Gachagua, and has publicly expressed loyalty to Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid while eyeing a possible presidential run in 2032.
Push for Equitable Power-Sharing
Senior ODM figures, including national chairperson Gladys Wanga, have advocated for a 50-50 power-sharing formula in any formal coalition with UDA. This would involve an equal division of key government roles and influence, signaling strong expectations for significant representation at the top levels.
Party leaders have consistently maintained that any partnership must reflect ODM’s substantial political weight and avoid relegating the party to a junior role.
Roots of the Ongoing Dialogue
The current talks stem from the March 2025 Memorandum of Understanding between UDA and ODM, endorsed by then-ODM leader Raila Odinga. The agreement centered on a 10-point agenda focused on national priorities such as youth empowerment, economic reforms, debt management, and inclusive governance.
With Raila Odinga no longer leading the party, Oburu Oginga has taken the helm in steering these discussions forward, framing them as essential for advancing shared national interests rather than personal or positional rivalries.
As coalition negotiations progress, Oginga’s reassurance seeks to ease anxieties within Kenya Kwanza while keeping the door open for robust bargaining over ODM’s rightful place in any future political arrangement. The outcome could significantly shape the landscape leading into the 2027 elections.
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Oburu Oginga Addresses Claims ODM Wants Kindiki’s DP Position