ODM leader Oburu Oginga has clarified the party’s position on the Deputy President seat ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking on Wednesday, February 11, he said the seat remains a key target for the Orange Democratic Movement.
Oburu addressed claims that his earlier remarks had been misunderstood regarding ODM’s interest in the position and the current office holder.
“There was something that people misinterpreted. They claimed that I said that ODM does not want the DP seat, but that’s the position we have our eyes on. What I said is that we do not have a personal grudge or issue with Kindiki, but that seat is a public position,” he said.
This comes after Oburu dismissed claims of political rivalry with the Deputy President, insisting that the party’s engagement with the Kenya Kwanza administration is driven by national interest, not power contests.
“For the Deputy President, we do not want your seat. You are our friend,” Oburu said during the launch of Nyota programme in Kisumu.
“As we negotiate, we will negotiate for what our people deserve and for all Kenyans.”
Oburu said ODM’s cooperation with President William Ruto’s administration follows years of political contestation and the loss of his brother, veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga’s long-time ally, which reshaped the party’s approach to national politics.
“ODM has collaborated with UDA in the broad-based government. Since we lost my brother and he left us in this situation, we decided to work together,” he said.
Oburu also turned his criticism toward former President Uhuru Kenyatta, accusing him of sidelining ODM despite past political cooperation.
“I would like Uhuru, who was the President. He was with my brother after the handshake yet he did not even give us one cabinet seat and he lied to us that he would deliver the presidency.
“He lied to Raila that he would make him the president, yet the election was stolen right under his nose, and he did nothing. Now we are asking him to let us do what we want to as ODM and that he stops interfering with ODM,” he added.
