NAIROBI, Kenya – Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has declared that the Mt Kenya region will remain firmly behind President William Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid, even if Deputy President Kithure Kindiki is not picked as the President’s running mate.
Speaking during an interview on NTV on Monday, July 27, Ruku said the decision on who becomes the Deputy President rests solely with the Head of State, urging Kenya Kwanza supporters to respect whichever choice President Ruto makes.
“The President has the constitutional and political prerogative to choose his running mate. If Kindiki is not picked, we will still support President Ruto,” Ruku said.
Despite insisting that the region’s support for Ruto is not tied to the Deputy President’s slot, the Cabinet Secretary expressed his personal preference for Kindiki to remain on the ticket, praising his performance since assuming office.
“I support Kindiki to continue serving as Deputy President because he has performed exceptionally well as President Ruto’s principal assistant. I believe he is well suited to continue in the role from 2027 to 2032,” Ruku stated.
His remarks come amid intensifying political debate over the composition of President Ruto’s 2027 re-election ticket.
Earlier on Monday, leaders from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) publicly endorsed Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya as their preferred candidate for the Deputy President position should the broad-based political arrangement continue into the next General Election.
Addressing supporters during a rally in Malava, ODM leaders argued that while the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) would field President Ruto as its presidential candidate, the Deputy President’s position should go to ODM as part of coalition negotiations.
ODM Acting Secretary General Catherine Omanyo said the party expects the deputy presidency to form part of discussions with UDA ahead of the 2027 polls.
National Assembly Majority Leader Junet Mohamed echoed the position, saying, “UDA should produce the president while ODM will produce the Deputy President, and we will present Wycliffe Oparanya.”
Responding to ODM’s proposal, Ruku dismissed concerns over leaders openly expressing interest in the country’s second-highest office, saying every politician has the democratic right to seek any political position.
However, he maintained that he does not support Oparanya’s bid, insisting Kindiki has demonstrated strong leadership and deserves another term as Deputy President.