Why Kithure Kindiki Faces Growing Pressure Ahead of 2027
Deputy President seat politics has taken a new turn after the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) emerged with a preference for Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya as its candidate for the position ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Oparanya’s emergence follows months of internal lobbying and consultations within ODM, with the party now positioning him as its preferred choice in negotiations with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
The development could set up a contest between Oparanya and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who is expected to remain a key figure in UDA’s plans as President William Ruto seeks a second term.
Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga had previously featured prominently in discussions over who could deputise Ruto if the Kenya Kwanza coalition retains power. However, both have since lost ground as Oparanya’s bid gains momentum.
Wanga, who has consistently ranked highly in opinion polls as a preferred candidate for the position, has increasingly shifted her attention towards defending her Homa Bay governorship, while Joho and his Coastal allies have also toned down their campaign for the running mate position.
Why ODM Is Backing Wycliffe Oparanya
Oparanya’s strongest advantage is his political base in Western Kenya, a region that remains strategically important in the battle for votes ahead of 2027. His emergence also comes at a time when ODM is seeking a stronger negotiating position in its partnership with UDA.
“At that time Mr Oparanya was being sidelined, and things were not good for the party, but we have since mended fences, and as ODM MPs we are now focused on seeing him as President Ruto’s running mate. We protested that our Nyanza counterparts had sidelined us, yet when Raila was alive, our region was the bedrock of his political support,” said Mr Aseka in an interview with Nation.
The comments by Khwisero MP Christopher Aseka followed a meeting between Oparanya, ODM party leader Dr Oburu Oginga and several Kakamega MPs in May. The meeting came after Oparanya had threatened to leave the party, accusing its leadership of neglecting Western Kenya.
At the time, 10 elected ODM MPs had reportedly kept away from party activities and were being approached to join UDA and defend their parliamentary seats under the ruling coalition.
Oparanya’s frustration had become public on April 25 during a function in Kakamega, where the former Kakamega governor warned that Western Kenya could reconsider its relationship with ODM if the region continued to feel sidelined.
“We have supported Raila Odinga wholeheartedly, and that should not be taken for granted. We must now assess what the people of Western Kenya stand to gain from ODM. If that does not happen, then we will have no option but to say goodbye,” he said at the time.
“It is now our time as Western leaders. We cannot be sidelined while others jostle for power following Raila’s exit from active leadership. We, too, deserve a share of that power,” he added.
The subsequent meetings helped repair relations between Oparanya and the ODM leadership, while also giving him greater visibility within the party. Aseka argues that the reconciliation has strengthened ODM’s position in Western Kenya.
“The party was dying, but since he was embraced, the party is now alive and active again in Western. Look at the meetings we have held; we are well received, and even the warring factions have since been united,” added the second-term MP.
Oparanya’s Bid Gains Momentum
ODM has since tasked Minority Leader Junnet Mohamed with helping build support for Oparanya’s potential running mate bid across the party and beyond.
During a rally in Malava constituency, Mohamed argued that ODM should demand the deputy presidency if UDA presents Ruto as the presidential candidate in the 2027 election.
“People should understand that leadership follows a process. Oparanya is the leader who can guide Western Kenya in ODM after Oburu Oginga. If UDA produces the presidential candidate, ODM deserves the deputy president’s position, and that should go to Oparanya,” said Mr Mohamed.
Butere MP Tindi Mwale has also urged Western Kenya to support Oparanya’s bid, presenting it as part of a longer-term political strategy that could eventually position the region to pursue the presidency in 2032.
“We are firmly in government, and Oparanya deserves the deputy president’s seat. After next year, we shall have the deputy presidents coming from here, then we will get the top seat in 2032,” says Mr Mwale.
Oparanya is also believed to have secured backing during a July 2 meeting hosted by Oginga and attended by Joho, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, Mohamed and ODM Executive Director Oduor Ong’wen.
Since that meeting, Mohamed has become one of Oparanya’s most vocal supporters.
The former Kakamega governor’s position has also been helped by the absence of a strong ODM candidate for the Nairobi governorship. The party had explored the possibility of Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi returning to Nairobi politics, but he reportedly declined after shifting his political base to Bungoma.
Sirisia MP John Waluke confirmed that Wanyonyi had met Oginga but had decided to continue his gubernatorial campaign in Bungoma.
“Tim met Oburu and ODM wanted him to vie for governor in Nairobi, but he declined, considering his campaigns in Bungoma had already taken off,” said Mr Waluke, who, together with Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama, have been supporting the third term Westlands MP bid to become Bungoma governor.
ODM has increasingly viewed Nairobi’s governorship as a potential fallback position should it fail to secure the deputy presidency in negotiations with UDA.
“Nairobi governor seat should be given to ODM. There is no shortcut about that,” Makadara MP George Aladwa recently said in Nairobi.
