ODM power sharing demands unsettle Kenya Kwanza allies

Caption

President William Ruto, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, ODM leader Oburu Oginga and other leaders during the broad-based government retreat in Naivasha. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Tension has flared within the broad-based government after ODM declared the 2027 Deputy President running mate slot and a 50/50 state power-sharing deal as "irreducible minimums" to back President William Ruto's re-election, unsettling Kenya Kwanza affiliate parties and Mt Kenya leaders.

Laikipia East Mwangi Kiunjuri’s The Service Party of Kenya (TSP), has fired the shot against ODM, maintaining that Kenya Kwanza affiliates were equal partners and that all positions would be put to the table for sharing.

The party warned that the equal split of positions between UDA and ODM would marginalise other parties within the coalition, a move that may deal a major blow to President William Ruto’s re-election game plan.

“From previous general elections in Kenya and elsewhere in the world, it has become clear that winning absolute majorities is increasingly difficult. It is therefore important to recognize and respect the role of every coalition partner knowing that the last four presidential elections have been won by a slim majority and even a smaller one to attain the constitutional threshold of fifty per cent plus one,” Kiunjuri said.

The MP said the Broad Based government should focus on the principled partnership where parties treated each other with mutual respect and as equal partners saying coalition politics has become an important and necessary feature of any political landscape.

 “And as we are all aware, there are on-going negotiations in the broad-based government where some of our partners are already giving conditions and making demands for specific positions. We would like to remind them that we all need each other and we demand that all positions be put on the table except that of the President and the Deputy President,” he said.

The MP added: “Further, we shall be guided by the principle that coalition partners must be respected and treated as equal partners, each with their own identity, membership, political interests and contribution to the coalition. We shall therefore engage in principled negotiations within the coalition to secure our rightful place and ensure that the interests and aspirations of our members, leaders and supporters are properly represented.”

Kiunjuri said TSP was open to a new National Development Agenda Beyond leadership positions. He explained that the country needed a political partnership anchored in an agreed national inclusive development agenda that speaks directly to the concerns and aspirations of citizens and provides a clear framework for securing the country's future.

“Such an agenda must address the strengthening of our democracy, the security and safety of Kenyans, economic growth and job creation, the cost of living, quality public services, opportunities for young people and effective devolution,” he added.

Other Kenya Kwanza allies who have expressed dissatisfaction over ODM’s demands with the UDA include Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Geoffrey Ruuku, Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka, among others.

 Kindiki has maintained that his position is not vacant and that he held the position in trust of Mt Kenya region communities, while ODM leader Oburu Oginga has hinted at working with the United Opposition if negotiations do not go the ODM way.

For Prof Kindiki, his position was not up for grabs. Without mincing his words, the second-in-command maintained that it was not a matter of begging to be Ruto’s running mate since he had ably acted in his roles as Ruto’s Principal assistant.

“When Gachagua was impeached, President Ruto returned the DP post to Mt Kenya region since the position did not belong to Gachagua. It is not mine either; I'm only holding it in trust of this community,” he told Council of elders drawn from Mt Kenya East.

Kindiki urged Mt Kenya East to re-elect Ruto, saying the move would increase the chances for the presidential bid in the 2032 succession game plan

“For us who come from Mt Kenya East, supporting Ruto for a second term is not an option. It's a must because voting Ruto next year is voting for ourselves since he will serve his last term and we shall take over from him in 2032,” he said.

While dismissing leaders salivating for his position, the DP reiterated that he would not be moved by ‘the political noise makers,’ saying he would continue to firmly discharge his duties.

Ruku has also dismissed demands by ODM leaders for the Deputy President position in 2027, stating that Kindiki will remain as President Ruto's running mate and serve until 2032.

“Those looking for seats should not bother with the presidency or the deputy presidency. That seat belongs to Kindiki. There is no vacancy now, and there will be no vacancy in 2027,” he said.

He emphasized that while the government operates under a broad-based arrangement meant to foster unity and national development, the Deputy President’s seat is not part of any political bargain.