Kindiki allies Reject ODM Push for Deputy President Seat 'Non-negotiable!'

Leaders from the Mt. Kenya region aligned to the broad-based government have rejected the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) push for the Deputy President’s seat, terming the proposal a non-starter.

The leaders insisted the number two position is not open for negotiation, warning that they could reconsider their place in the broad-based arrangement if ODM continues to press the demand. Some even suggested that Deputy President Kithure Kindiki should instead cross over and join ODM.

The remarks followed sentiments by Oburu Odinga, who, while speaking in Mombasa, declared that ODM was eyeing the Deputy President’s seat in any coalition talks with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA). His comments sparked sharp reactions from leaders allied to Kindiki.

Muthomi Njuki, the Governor of Tharaka Nithi, maintained that the position remains firmly occupied.

“As much as we are in a broad-based government, the seat of the Deputy President is non-negotiable. That is a dream. ODM’s numbers cannot match what we have on this side,” he said.

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku echoed the sentiment, saying any such discussion could only arise in the distant future.

“If ODM wants the Deputy President’s seat, we can discuss that in 2032 when Kindiki becomes President. For now, the seat is not vacant,” he stated.

Kiambaa MP Njuguna Kawanjiku warned that pushing for the position could rupture the coalition.

“Waende juu, waende chini, hatuwachilii. Kama kuna kitu inaweza fanya tutoke kwa hii serikali na hiyo muungano, ni kiti ya namba mbili… tunaambia ODM warelax,” he said.

Thika MP Alice Ng'ang'a reinforced the message, declaring: “Naibu wa Rais, usiku na mchana, ni Kithure Kindiki… non-negotiable!”

Other leaders who spoke in Meru, Kiambu and Tharaka Nithi accused ODM of attempting to dictate terms within the coalition.

Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri likened the Deputy President’s seat to a “beautiful girl” who is already taken.

“Kila mtu anaona msichana mzuri anaitwa kiti ya Deputy President, lakini huyu msichana ako na mwenyewe. Ni bibi ya mtu, ametolewa mahari… kwa nini tuogope mwanume mwengine?” he posed.

Imenti Central MP Kirima Nguchine added: “Lakini kusema kweli ata nikikuita kwa nyumba yangu unakalia kiti yenye nimekalia ama ile yenye nakupatia?”

In a tongue-in-cheek remark, Njuki suggested that if ODM insists on the seat as a condition for remaining in the broad-based government, they are ready to offer a “compromise.”

“Should ODM really insist that they want to stay in broad-based with that seat, we are willing to make only one basic compromise. We give them Kithure Kindiki to join ODM,” he quipped.

The standoff sets the stage for potentially tense negotiations between ODM and UDA as political alignments begin to take shape ahead of the 2027 General Election.