ODM is not eyeing your position, Oburu Oginga tells DP Kithure Kindiki
President William Ruto (centre), Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and ODM leader Oburu Oginga during the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement business support programme in Kisumu on February 2 , 2026.
Orange Democratic Movement party leader Dr Oburu Oginga has assured Deputy President Kithure Kindiki that the party is not eyeing his position.
Dr Oginga said that as a national party, ODM’s priority was to secure a fair share of national opportunities for its members and supporters, not to target specific offices.
He added that the party’s engagement with President Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) would be anchored on equitable negotiations that advance ODM’s interests.
“As we move forward, we are not going to look for less. But deputy president, do not think that we are after your job or want to chase you away. You are our friend, and as we negotiate, we will negotiate for what our people and party deserve,” Dr Oginga said on Monday as Kisumu residents endorsed talks between ODM and President William Ruto ahead of the 2027 elections.
Dr Oginga and President Ruto were speaking during the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) business support programme in Kisumu.
“Our party is not a Luo party; it is a party for the whole of Kenya. That is why we will negotiate fairly. We do not want tribalists to lead this country. We will negotiate not to take anyone’s share, but to ensure that everyone gets a fair portion of the national cake,” he added.
The remarks appeared to soften Dr Oginga’s earlier stance last year when he suggested that ODM would not settle for less than the Deputy President’s position in negotiations with UDA. His latest comments also come a day after the party reportedly demanded a 50–50 power-sharing arrangement in a proposed political deal with President Ruto.
Orange Democratic Movement party leader Dr Oburu Oginga addresses youths during the NYOTA business start up capital disbursement at Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium, Kisumu County, on February 2, 2026.
Dr Oginga’s assurance is likely to ease concerns within the Mount Kenya region, a crucial voting bloc for President Ruto, which he is keen not to alienate following the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. The move is also seen as an effort to avert internal rivalry within the broad-based government.
The ODM leader spoke shortly after President Ruto, for the second time, sought public approval from Kisumu residents to proceed with negotiations aimed at forging a coalition ahead of the 2027 polls.
President Ruto used the occasion to criticise the opposition, dismissing it as fragmented and lacking a coherent agenda, while reiterating his commitment to inclusive politics anchored on dialogue and development.
“We want to tell the leaderless, agenda-less, plan-less opposition that you are an opposition without an alternative. You are in opposition because you have made opposition your occupation. It is not because you have an alternative plan,” President Ruto said.
He challenged opposition leaders to back their rhetoric with concrete proposals. He encouraged the youth to step forward and claim the opportunities made available through programmes such as NYOTA, digital jobs, affordable housing projects and bilateral labour agreements that are opening doors for jobs abroad.
“They don’t have an agenda, vision, policy or plan. I want to ask the youth, do you have plans for this NYOTA money? I want to tell my opponents to also have plans,” he added.
The President also defended his administration’s record on education, saying it was addressing deep-rooted structural problems inherited from previous governments.
President William Ruto addresses youths during the disbursement of NYOTA business start - up capital at Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium, Kisumu County, on February 2, 2026.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki praised President Ruto for fostering what he described as national unity through the broad-based government.
“We are stronger together. With the ODM family, the country is stronger and more stable. We support the broad-based government, the NADCO resolutions and the Ten-Point Agenda, including youth empowerment,” Prof Kindiki said.
The Kisumu event marked the disbursement of Sh220 million to 8,820 youth entrepreneurs from 105 wards across Kisumu, Siaya and Homa Bay counties under the NYOTA programme. Each beneficiary will receive Sh50,000 in two phases, combining business capital and mandatory savings.
President Ruto urged the youth to use the funds prudently.
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