ODM Targets Deputy President Seat in 2027, Oburu Odinga Clarifies After U-Turn Claims

By : Mweru Mbugua 

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Oburu Odinga has reaffirmed that the party is eyeing the Deputy President’s seat in the 2027 General Election, dismissing earlier claims that ODM had softened its stance on the position

Speaking during a party meeting in Mombasa on Wednesday, Oburu said he had been misquoted in previous remarks made in Kisumu on February 2. At the time, he told Deputy President Kithure Kindiki that ODM was only interested in engaging President William Ruto’s administration through dialogue and was not seeking to remove him from office

However, Oburu clarified that while the party holds no personal grudge against Kindiki, it remains firmly interested in the country’s second-highest office

“The Deputy President’s seat is the one we are targeting the most. What I said was that we have no personal animosity towards the Deputy President, but his seat is a public seat,” he said to applause from party members

The statement reinforces remarks Oburu made in November 2025 during an interview with NTV, where he maintained that ODM would not settle for a minor role in any political arrangement ahead of 2027

“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 said at the time

Political analysts suggest that ODM’s renewed push for the deputy presidency could spark fresh debate about Kindiki’s political future, particularly if the party continues cooperating with President Ruto under the broad-based government arrangement

Oburu also used the Mombasa platform to caution former President Uhuru Kenyatta against interfering in ODM’s internal affairs and the restructuring of the Azimio la Umoja–One Kenya coalition

“I urge Uhuru Kenyatta to leave us alone and let us do what we please to do as ODM. He should not interfere with our party and people,” he said

He further declared that Azimio effectively ceased to exist after ODM joined the broad-based government

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“Azimio died when ODM left and joined the broad-based government with Ruto. We will do the formality of writing a letter to leave officially. Azimio should end and be buried forever,” he added

The remarks come amid a dispute over recent leadership changes within the Azimio coalition. The council, chaired by Uhuru Kenyatta, submitted documents to the Registrar of Political Parties outlining a new leadership structure as part of preparations for the 2027 polls

Under the changes, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka was named coalition leader, Suba North MP Caroli Omondi appointed Secretary General, and veteran politician Philip Kisia designated Executive Director. Former Secretary General Junet Mohamed and former Executive Director Raphael Tuju were removed from their positions

ODM has rejected the changes as null and void, arguing that not all constituent parties were consulted as required under the coalition agreement. The party maintains that Oburu Odinga was not involved in the decision-making process and has called for the changes to be suspended

As the 2027 election season gradually takes shape, ODM’s renewed declaration signals an intensifying political realignment that could redefine alliances within Kenya’s shifting political landscape