ODM insists on running mate slot in President Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) says it will not back down on its push to secure the running mate slot ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The team, which travelled to Kakamega County to mark the first anniversary of the death of its late party leader Raila Odinga, says it has the numbers needed to help President William Ruto secure a second term in office.

Led by party Chairperson Gladys Wanga, the leaders donning orange attire in honour of their founding party leader maintained that they would not relent in their push to have one of their own appointed as President Ruto’s running mate ahead of the 2027 General Election.

“Sisi kama chama cha chungwa, sisi ni chama kikubwa. Mheshimiwa Rais akiwa Rais, deputy wake anatoka chama cha ODM. Hiyo ndiyo barabara tutatembea pamoja,” said Wanga.

“Chama chetu cha ODM, hakuna siku kitakuwa ndani ya upinzani. Sisi tutakuwa katika serikali ili tusaidie watu wetu wa ODM,” National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed added.

The ODM leaders also took aim at retired President Uhuru Kenyatta over his alleged support for the opposition, accusing him of failing to help Raila Odinga secure the presidency in the 2022 General Election.

They warned that his renewed political engagement would not sway their support.

“Kuna siku mliona Uhuru amepeleka Raila kule Central kutafuta kura? Wewe Uhuru, wacha kuwa mkabila, kuambia Wakikuyu wasirudie makosa. Sisi Waluhya, we are ready to vote in William Ruto,” said Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula.

Likuyani MP Innocent Mugabe on his part stated, “Wengine ambao ni matapeli walidanganya (Raila), wakampeleka msituni, tukaanguka kura. Sasa wanakuja kudanganya vijana wetu wakitumia mlango. Tunawaambia mara hii tuko macho…”

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa called for more people to join ODM, saying the party should continue with the broad-based political arrangement associated with Raila Odinga.

“Sasa ni wakati wa kukaribisha kila mtu kwa chama cha ODM, na vile Baba alituacha kwa broad-based, form ni broad-based,” he said.

However, questions surrounding the broad-based arrangement and regional political zoning continue to stir divisions among some ODM leaders, with some insisting that party nominations must remain free and fair.

“We want free and fair nominations so that a candidate gets a ticket yenye iko halali. Maneno ya watu kuja kusema huyu atakuwa MCA, mbunge, gavana, ule alikuwa na hiyo kibali alikuwa Baba Raila Odinga,” said Butere MP Tindi Mwale.

The leaders said ODM continues to enjoy significant support in the region, dismissing claims that the area was firmly in the opposition camp.