Ruto Faces Tough 2027 Talks as Oburu Oginga Demands ODM Deputy Presidency Slot
ODM’s interim leader Dr Oburu Oginga made the party’s most unambiguously straightforward statement yet since Raila Odinga’s passing – insisting that the Orange Democratic Movement will not settle for anything other than the deputy presidency come 2027.
In an interview with NTV and the Daily Nation, Dr Oginga laid out ODM’s post-Raila strategy, and made it very clear that the party’s days of being a party of the opposition are behind it. “For us to go for something less, that ‘something else’ has to be the deputy presidency – that’s just the way it is,” he said in a pretty blunt statement.
Siaya Senator Oginga’s comments essentially mark ODM’s first clear indication of what they’re after as the 2027 political jigsaw begins to fall into place. And it’s being said that his comments could have a real impact on how coalition negotiations play out – and raise some pretty interesting questions about what the future will hold for the current deputy president, Kithure Kindiki – especially if ODM decides to keep on working with President William Ruto.
Dr Oginga explained that ODM’s decision to join Ruto’s “broad coalition government” is all rooted in a memorandum of understanding they signed in March with Ruto’s UDA party. The deal is all about making real progress on things like governance reforms, making sure that devolution is working properly, and supporting young people – as opposed to all the usual backroom politicking that goes on in the run-up to an election.
“It’s all about making our country a better place for the people,” he said – and then went on to say that the fact that we haven’t got a new government yet isn’t relevant, because the agreement they made is all about getting things done. “2027 will sort itself out – we’ve got work to do in the meantime,” he said with some conviction.
He confirmed that a joint committee has already been set up to make sure they’re on track with the 10-point plan – which includes getting the Nadco report sorted and making sure the country’s constitution is being respected. “We’re not tied down to anyone,” he said – and if they don’t see the progress they want, they’re perfectly free to go elsewhere and talk to other people.
Dr Oginga also jumped to the defense of the ODM members who’ve got jobs in Ruto’s Cabinet, saying that the fact they’re there is a sign that the party is maturing and is prepared to make wise decisions. “People like Mbadi and Wandayi are now acting as part of the administration,” he said – “they can speak for themselves, but not for the party as a whole.”
Finally, Dr Oginga reminded people of Raila Odinga’s own decision to start talking to Ruto – saying it was because Raila genuinely believed that things were getting out of hand with all the demonstrations going on at the time, and that working with Ruto was the only way to head off chaos.
According to him, the late Odinga was adamant ODM should never go back to opposition politics. “Raila always said ODM must be in government. Being in opposition was never an option again,” he recalled.
Dr Oginga dismissed claims his appointment as interim leader was a family affair saying it was approved by the National Executive Committee on the proposal of co-deputy leader Abdulswamad Nassir. “ODM is not Jaramogi’s party. His party was Ford Kenya. I was appointed by the NEC, not my family,” he said.
On the bigger picture, Dr Oginga spoke candidly about those eyeing the presidency. He described Kalonzo Musyoka as a strong regional player but won’t get ODM’s backing unless within their alliance. Of former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i he said, “He is hardworking but lacks visible political muscle.” He said former Chief Justice David Maraga is “a fine judge” but “not political” and Martha Karua is “tough and principled but too rigid to unite the country.”
As ODM navigates the perceived generational divide, Dr Oginga downplayed internal tension. “There’s no fight between old and young. People differ on ideas not generations,” he said.
With succession politics heating up in Nyanza, he named John Mbadi, Opiyo Wandayi, Gladys Wanga and Babu Owino as those to watch. “Even the chants at Raila’s funeral were democratic expression, not disrespect,” he said.
Looking ahead Dr Oginga sees a coalition driven race where ODM will be central. “We will be a decisive player—whether aligned with Ruto or not—but unity will be our greatest asset,” he said.
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Ruto Faces Tough 2027 Talks as Oburu Oginga Demands ODM Deputy Presidency Slot