By Anderson Ojwang
The proposed pre-election coalition between United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) could be destabilizing the status quo in the ruling coalition.
The demand by ODM for the Deputy President seat could be unsettling the occupant, Kithure Kindiki, who has adopted a reconciliation tone within the Mt Kenya political matrix.
“I don’t have any battle with my fellow leaders. I have no problems with my brothers, who are leaders. I am an elder from this region. I am a leader. There is today and tomorrow. After leading, we will remain here as one community. Is it not true? Because of that, I have no problem with any leader, even those who abuse me,” he said.
Kindiki said he has unconditionally forgiven those from his region who have been abusing him and that the unity of the community was paramount.
“I have forgiven them. I have unconditionally forgiven them. Because I do not want to be in any war with my brothers. I am a pure Meru,” he said.
He said as an elder and member of Njuri Ncheke, it was incumbent upon him to foster peace and unity for the benefit of the community.
“As an elder of Njuri Ncheke, I know we must create peace and unity because after politics, we will remain as a community,” he said.
Last year, ODM party leader Oburu Oginga declared the party would not accept any position lower than that of Deputy President in any pre-election coalition ahead of the 2027 General Election.
During last year’s interview with NTV Kenya, Oburu maintained that the party would only negotiate for top positions from a position of strength, and not desperation.
“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.
But during a recent visit to Kisumu by President William Ruto and Kindiki, Oburu told the Deputy President that ODM was not eying the Deputy President slot:
“Deputy President, do not think we want your seat and that we want to chase you away. No. Please, you are our friend, but as we negotiate, we are going to negotiate what our people deserve and what our party deserves. ODM is not a Luo party but a national party. We will negotiate fairly; we are not going to take anybody’s share. Everybody will get their fair share,” he said.
But Oburu said he had been misquoted, and recently the ODM Special Delegates Conference mandated him to negotiate on behalf of the party and demanded the post of Deputy President as the first condition to the talks.
“There is something people misinterpreted. They said that I said ODM doesn’t want the seat of the Deputy President. It is the seat of the Deputy President we are eying. That is what we are eying,” he said.
But Kindiki, in a recent address in Mt Kenya, moved to set the record straight by stating:
“I am the Deputy President of Kenya and do not panic.”
Kindiki also said he has his eyes set on the presidency in the future and that he is the second in command in the country.
“I have heard that there are some people who have caused panic among you here. I want to ask you—you know I am the second in command in the government. I want to tell you to relax. I am the Deputy President of Kenya.”
Kindiki said the post of Deputy President was going nowhere and that he would be the running mate of President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.
“And there is nowhere the seat is going. From Deputy President, there is no turning back but moving ahead. Those whom you hear speak, do not panic. We are the architects of politics. If you look at me, do you think I can be intimidated by people?” he said.
The Deputy President said he has been in politics for a long time and understands political timing better.
“I have been in politics for a long time. A great politician knows when to speak and when to be quiet. He knows the day of work and the day of politics. If you are a foolish politician who talks every day, what will help us as your leaders is not politicking and rallies but development,” he said.
Oburu said they do not have any problem with Kindiki on a personal level, but the seat is a public office.
But last week, while in Kisumu, Oburu said before President William Ruto and Kindiki that ODM was not eying the Deputy President slot:
“Deputy President, do not think we want your seat and that we want to chase you away. No. Please, you are our friend, but as we negotiate, we are going to negotiate what our people deserve and what our party deserves. ODM is not a Luo party but a national party. We will negotiate fairly; we are not going to take anybody’s share. Everybody will get their fair share,” he said.
Oburu said he would lead ODM during the negotiations and promised to guide the party forward.
“I am leading ODM. When you follow flies, they will take you to the pit latrine, but when you follow bees, you will get to the honey. We are in talks with UDA. We are going to make sure that we have more than what we have currently. You can already see we managed to get for you key ministries. We have Energy headed by Opiyo Wandayi and Finance, which is the heart of the government, led by John Mbadi. Even Alego MP Sam Atandi is the chairman of the Budget Committee,” he said.
But leaders from Mt Kenya loyal to the broad-based government have dismissed ODM’s ambitions, terming the proposal a non-starter.
The Mt Kenya leaders said the number two position was non-negotiable. Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki said:
“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.”
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku added:
“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.”
Kiambaa MP Njuguna Kawanjiku said:
“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.”
On Friday in Kirinyaga County, former President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua closed ranks, with the latter apologizing to the former.
Gachagua dismissed allegations that he cannot work with Uhuru, terming them wishful thinking.
“They say Uhuru cannot work with Riggy. You think you are one of us? You don’t know us. We are a family, and Uhuru is my elder brother,” he said.
Gachagua said he diligently served Uhuru as a personal assistant and holds him in high regard.
“I have been Uhuru’s personal assistant. I have worked with him for 20 years. We only differed for three years,” he said.
Gachagua said it was President William Ruto who sowed division between him and Uhuru, but they have now reconciled.
“It is you who divided us. You came with the Bible and conned us. I blame myself. I misled my people. I want to tell our people that we must be very smart not to allow Ruto to divide us along Mt Kenya East and West. I cannot allow it. Kikuyu and Meru are one community,” he said.
