Ruto faces ODM demand for Deputy President position ahead of 2027

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 31 – ODM deputy party leaders Simba Arati and Abdulswamad Nassir have demanded the Deputy President’s position in any future power-sharing arrangement with President William Ruto, insisting the party must secure clear terms before committing to a political deal with UDA.

The two governors said ODM must negotiate from a position of strength and secure guarantees on its representation in government, including the country’s second-highest office, as discussions over the party’s relationship with Ruto’s administration gather pace ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Kisii Governor Arati insisted that ODM could not enter into an arrangement with UDA without a formal agreement outlining the conditions of cooperation.

“As the ODM party cooperating with UDA, we must establish the conditions that will enable us to enter into government,” Arati said.

He dismissed calls for ODM to work with Ruto without setting conditions, arguing that the party had a responsibility to protect its interests and the political ideals championed by its late leader Raila Odinga.

Arati also hit out at critics questioning ODM’s political strength following the departure of some members, insisting that the party remained intact and was actively mobilising its supporters.

“I want them, wherever they are, to see that ODM is full to the point that we have locked it with a padlock. The only people we have left outside who have departed are the masangwenya,” he said.

The Kisii governor maintained that the current party leadership represented the political legacy of Raila, saying ODM would continue pursuing the rights and freedoms for which the former Prime Minister fought.

“Baba said that when you see leaders like Oparanya, Joho, Simba here, Wanga, Junet, or Abdulswamad—when you see these ODM party leaders, Baba is inside,” he said.

Mombasa Governor and fellow ODM deputy party leader Abdulswamad Nassir went further, declaring that the Deputy President’s position must be reserved for the Orange party in any future political arrangement.

Nassir said ODM would also field candidates across all elective positions, from Members of County Assembly (MCAs) and Members of Parliament to women representatives, governors and senators.

“Furthermore, we are declaring that the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya will come from ODM,” Nassir said.

His remarks signal the party’s intention to negotiate for a substantial share of political power should it formalise a working arrangement with Ruto’s UDA ahead of the next elections.

However, the demands come amid differing positions within ODM over the nature and timing of a formal agreement with the ruling party.

ODM leader Oburu Oginga has maintained that the party is already participating in the broad-based government through established structures and that negotiations should be handled through authorised party organs.

Addressing the same gathering, Oburu said ODM had not joined the broad-based government blindly but had made a deliberate political decision based on its objectives.

“We are in this broad-based government, and we did not go there blindly; we are there knowing what we are doing and working through established structures,” he said.

Oburu distinguished the broad-based government from a coalition government, arguing that the two arrangements operate differently and should not be treated as interchangeable.

He disclosed that ODM had appointed a five-member technical team to work on the party’s constitution and policies, adding that the team was nearing completion of its assignment.

The party leader further revealed that a separate coalition negotiating team would be appointed jointly by his side and President Ruto’s team before February 2027.

“Before February next year, we are going to have a coalition team appointed by my team and President Ruto’s team, which will be completely different from the technical team,” Oburu said.

He urged party members to respect established structures and avoid making pronouncements that could undermine ongoing discussions.

“We want discipline in our party if you are a member of the party, please be disciplined and follow the policies of your party as we move towards the 2027 general election,” he said.