KISUMU County—Feb 2, 2026—President William Ruto’s deputy, Prof. Kithure Kindiki, has received a major political reprieve after the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) publicly declared it will not demand the deputy president’s position in the ongoing pre-election talks with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Speaking during the NYOTA Project function attended by leaders from both ODM and UDA, ODM party leader Oburu Odinga said the opposition party’s engagement with UDA is not driven by power-sharing demands but by the need to stabilise the country and advance development-focused governance.
“ODM is not in talks to bargain for positions. We are not demanding the deputy president seat or any other office,” Oburu said. “Our engagement is about Kenya, not individual ambitions.”
The remarks come amid intense political speculation that ODM, should it formalise a pre-election pact with UDA, would push for a restructuring of the executive—placing Deputy President Kithure Kindiki under pressure.
Oburu’s statement now decisively eases that pressure, effectively affirming Kindiki’s position within President Ruto’s administration and shutting down internal and external manoeuvres questioning the stability of the current deputy presidency.
President William Ruto, who also addressed the gathering, seized the moment to launch a scathing attack on the united opposition, accusing it of lacking vision, coherence, and direction.
“Kenya does not need a radarless and clueless opposition whose only agenda is confusion,” Ruto said. “We need leaders focused on solutions, development, and empowering our young people.”
Ruto argued that emerging political cooperation between UDA and ODM is grounded in shared national priorities rather than short-term political arithmetic, particularly at a time when youth unemployment and economic inclusion remain pressing challenges.
Oburu echoed the president’s sentiments, dismissing the opposition alliance as politically bankrupt and ideologically empty.
“They have no plan, no agenda, and no clarity on what they want for the country,” he said. “That is why they are loud but directionless.”
The joint appearance by senior UDA and ODM leaders—once fierce rivals—signals a shifting political landscape as Kenya inches closer to the next general election.
Analysts say ODM’s decision to publicly rule out claims on the deputy presidency suggests a strategic recalibration aimed at maintaining influence while avoiding internal power struggles that could derail negotiations.
The NYOTA Project event, originally convened to spotlight youth empowerment and economic opportunity, thus doubled as a powerful political stage—projecting unity, calming succession anxieties within government, and isolating a fragmented opposition.
As pre-election alignments continue to take shape, ODM’s declaration may redefine the terms of engagement, entrench Kindiki’s position, and reshape the balance of power heading into the 2027 contest.
