Broad-based divide as UDA, ODM clash over Ruto's 2027 running mate

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) are at loggerheads over President William Ruto's 2027 running mate.

With coalition negotiations ahead of the 2027 General Election gathering momentum, a political contest is emerging over who should deputise President Ruto under the broad-based political arrangement.

Leaders from the UDA and the ODM have taken differing positions on the coalition's preferred DP candidate, with UDA backing Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki while ODM leaders push for Cooperatives and MSMEs Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya.

Speaking separately in Nakuru and Embu counties, Kenya Kwanza leaders rallied behind Prof. Kindiki, insisting he remains President Ruto's preferred running mate ahead of the 2027 polls.

Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku dismissed calls for changes to the deputy presidency, saying other senior positions could be negotiated but not the President and Deputy President slots.

"Mkitaka Prime Minister chukua, mkitaka ata Speaker chukua, mkitaka Speaker wa Senate chukua...lakini kiti cha Rais na DP ni Ruto na Kindiki na hatutaki kuendelea hivyo, mtukome na muache kutukera na maneno. Kila siku kiti cha naibu wa Rais, kila asubuhi kiti cha naibu wa Rais, mtukome," said Ruku.

Taita Taveta MP John Bwire also defended Kindiki's position, saying the Deputy President has remained a key ally of President Ruto.

"Kama kuna muungwana anayesaidia William Ruto ni Naibu wake Prof Kithure Kindiki...." said Bwire.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen also urged leaders from the Mt. Kenya region to unite behind Kindiki.

"Siku ile tukisupport yule alikuwa mlikuwa mnasema ni mtoto wa Mt Kenya...sasa sahii huyu Prof Kindiki is he a child of lesser Mt Kenya father and mother? Kwa nini asipewe support?" posed Murkomen.

Meanwhile, ODM leaders speaking during an event at Kima Comprehensive School in Vihiga County intensified calls for CS Oparanya to be considered for the country's second-highest office, arguing that the party deserves greater representation in the top leadership.

"Deputy President atatoka chama cha ODM, unajua tuko na siasa mingi sana katika chama chetu hiki, lakini kama unaishi ndani ya nyumba, ndugu kwa dada tusiwaste any chances," said Acting ODM Secretary General Catherine Omanyo.

Khwisero MP Christopher Aseka urged leaders to base the decision on political strength, saying the Western region had the numbers to back Oparanya.

"Kura ihesabiwe, yule ako na kura nyingi aweke kwa meza. Kama Kindiki ako na kura mingi aweke kwa meza. Sisi kama jamii ya Mulembe tuko na kura milioni tano nyuma ya Wycliffe Oparanya," said Aseka.

For his part, Oparanya called for unity within the broad-based administration.

"Tunataka tuungane pamoja chini ya serikali ya Rais William Ruto..." he said.

The contest has also taken a regional dimension, with leaders from the Coast reportedly backing Mining CS Ali Hassan Joho for the position, while some ODM insiders argue that if the party secures the Deputy President's slot, the running mate should come from its traditional support base in the Nyanza region.