The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Oburu Odinga has reversed course, announcing the party’s strong pursuit of the Deputy President position ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking at a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Mombasa, the 82-year-old veteran politician clarified that ODM views the seat, currently held by Kithure Kindiki, as a public office open to negotiation, with no personal grudge against the incumbent.
“The Deputy President’s seat is the one we are targeting the most. What I said was that we have no personal animosity towards the Deputy President, but his seat is a public seat,”
This marks unexpected and a dramatic U-turn from Odinga’s February 2 remarks in Kisumu, where he assured Kindiki that ODM sought only dialogue without aiming to displace him.
Oburu echoed sentiments from an interview on November 2025 insisting ODM will not settle for anything less than the deputy presidency in any coalition, refusing a return to opposition.
“If we have to go for a lower position, it must not be lower than number two (deputy president) in any formation. That is my take. We should not take less than that” he said.
The NEC meeting also featured internal shake-ups, including the ouster of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as Secretary-General, replaced by Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo.
Oburu declared the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition “dead” since ODM joined President William Ruto’s broad-based government with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), vowing to formally exit and urging its permanent burial.
He dismissed recent Azimio leadership changes as invalid and warned former President Uhuru Kenyatta against meddling in ODM affairs.
“I urge Uhuru Kenyatta to leave us alone and let us do what we please to do as ODM. He should not interfere with our party and people.”
With Raila Odinga focused on continental roles, Oburu’s bold strategy injects new drama into Kenya’s political landscape.
