ODM declares DP slot non-negotiable in 2027 deal with UDA

The battle for the country's second-highest office is escalating into a major political showdown, with ODM seeking to wrest the position from UDA.

The party says it is reviewing its working arrangement with UDA to push for the Deputy President's post, currently held by Prof. Kithure Kindiki, insisting the demand is not up for discussion.

Kisii Governor and ODM deputy party leader Simba Arati said that with Ruto set to defend the presidency on a UDA ticket in 2027, ODM should produce his running mate.

"Since Ruto is on UDA vying for president in 2027, ODM will produce the Deputy President," Arati said.

National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed said the running mate slot was now the party's condition for staying in the arrangement

"For us to work together, ODM and UDA, it is now official that we must be given the running mate slot for us to move forward together," Junet said.

Kindiki, however, has signalled he will not surrender the position without a fight, insisting a day earlier that he would not be a pushover in the race to remain Ruto's running mate in next year's election.

ODM has floated several names for the slot, including Co-operatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, Mining Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga. The party says its priority is to secure the position first before settling on a candidate.

"We also have our party leader, we cannot wish him away, he can also want to fill the position. But what we are saying is that Oparanya is one of the suitable candidates, and we will make that decision as a party," Junet said.

His sentiments were echoed by MP Samuel Atandi, who said the party was weighing who could best consolidate its vote.

"What we are now doing as a party is looking around ourselves on who will also help us consolidate the votes. Oparanya is a good candidate, but we also welcome others to the ring," Atandi said.

At the Coast, leaders converged in Lamu County on Monday to urge residents to register as voters, seeking to grow the region's voting strength as they lobby for Joho's bid for the deputy presidential slot.

"Kama wenzetu kura zetu tukipiga hesabu tuko milioni mbili, Mlima Kenya wako milioni tano. Tukitaka kuwa serious lazima tushike kura," Joho said.

His remarks were backed by Mombasa Governor and ODM deputy party leader Abdulswamad Nassir, who said numbers were the region's bargaining chip.

"Kile kitu kitatusaidia kama Pwani ni numbers. Lazima tushike kura kama Pwani," Nassir said.

ODM has escalated its demands, insisting on a 50-50 power-sharing arrangement in government and declaring that anything less is unacceptable.

"Our party ODM and UDA, we will go 50-50, no shortcut about it. Without that, no story," Arati said.

Of the 22 Cabinet Secretary positions, ODM is demanding at least 11 as its irreducible minimum under the proposed arrangement. The party currently holds five Cabinet slots under the broad-based government.

The party is also eyeing key leadership positions in Parliament, including the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Speaker of the Senate and other top parliamentary posts as part of its 50-50 demand.

ODM is further seeking at least 36 of Kenya's roughly 72 top diplomatic appointments, including embassies, high commissions and consulates, under its proposed power-sharing formula.

The party's bid to reconfigure the broad-based government ahead of next year's polls is set to spark a political battle, with all alliance leaders due to meet at a crucial retreat next week.

"What we assure you is that we must form the next government," Arati said.

While formal talks have not started, party officials say next week's retreat will outline the negotiation process and name the team that will lead the discussions.