Africa-Press – Kenya. Leaders from the Mount Kenya region have declared that the deputy president’s position is not up for negotiation. This follows after remarks made by Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga calling for the slot to be allocated to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in the 2027 General Election.
Duncan Maina, the Nyeri Town Member of Parliament, said the region remains firmly within President William Samoei Ruto’s government and insisted the running mate position belongs to Mount Kenya.
“The deputy president’s seat is in the Mount Kenya region. Those who talk, we announce to you that even if you come for talks, the deputy president’s position and Ruto’s running mate are not vacant,” Maina said.
He emphasised that the region is fully part of the current administration and has no intention of shifting its political allegiance. “We are neither on the left side nor the right side; we are in the middle of this government, and we will continue to stay there,” he added.
His remarks were echoed by Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira, who urged residents of the region to focus on supporting President Ruto’s re-election in 2027 as a pathway to retaining the DP’s position.
“The easiest route for us to get the deputy president position again is through William Samoei Ruto. Let us ensure that we re-elect him in 2027, and then we elect our son Kithure Kindiki in 2032 as the president,” Wachira said.
The leaders’ comments come amid emerging political debate over the future of the deputy president slot, which has historically been a key factor in forming political alliances and balancing regional interests.
Oburu had earlier indicated that ODM was interested in the position in the next general election, remarks that have since drawn swift reactions from leaders in the vote-rich Mount Kenya region.
“We are going to negotiate hard; we are not going to leave anything out. Those who thought that we are not going to demand for a deputy president, that is one of the demands,” Oburu said during a meeting with a section of Members of County Assembly in Siaya.
Mount Kenya played a significant role in President Ruto’s victory in the 2022 General Election, delivering millions of votes that contributed to his ascent to the presidency.
Local leaders have consistently maintained that the region expects to retain a central role in government leadership as part of its political support. Maina reiterated that the region’s priority is to remain within the government and safeguard its leadership stake.
