NAIROBI, Kenya — Leaders allied to Deputy President Kithure Kindiki have pushed back strongly against calls by Oburu Oginga, head of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), to contest the deputy presidency seat in the context of 2027 election negotiations, dismissing his push as “provocative” and unnecessary.
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire and several Members of Parliament from the Mt. Kenya East region said the current government leadership is stable and focused on development, and that there is no justification for attempting to “fix” what they call a functional working relationship between President William Ruto and his deputy.
Ruku argued that the push by Oburu, which has stirred debate over power-sharing arrangements in the broad-based government, is unnecessary and disruptive at a time when leaders should be collaborating on governance rather than stoking political tensions.
“President William Ruto and his Deputy President Kithure Kindiki are working well and focused on the development of our country,” Ruku said, urging political actors to respect the existing leadership structure. “If it is working, don’t fix it.”
He added that even within a broad-based government arrangement, political parties and leaders must show mutual respect and avoid “annoying each other unnecessarily.”
Kindiki himself addressed the growing debate, calling on the political class to “tone down the fierce political heat” related to discussions about the deputy presidency.
He stressed that Kenya should not be dragged into premature contests over positions ahead of the scheduled by-elections this week.
“I want to ask all of us, especially the political class, to tone down the fierce political heat that is being generated by the ongoing debate. There is no need to worry,” Kindiki said, projecting confidence in his political standing.
He also appealed to voters in areas headed to by-elections to support candidates from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), saying the party’s aspirants had run peaceful and issue‑based campaigns.
The exchange has emerged amid heightened political activity and a broader discussion over future power arrangements within the ruling coalition, after Oburu indicated ODM was willing to push for the deputy president seat as part of negotiations with UDA.
While Oburu’s position reflects a strategic interest by ODM in securing influence within government structures, leaders supporting Kindiki have asserted that the deputy presidency is neither vacant nor open for renegotiation at this stage, urging party leaders to focus on campaigning and development initiatives instead.
