ODM Secretary General Catherine Omanyo has declared that the Orange Democratic Movement should be guaranteed the deputy president position if President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) wins the 2027 general election.
Speaking at a meeting in Busia, Omanyo emphasized that any coalition arrangement must ensure the running mate is from ODM and has a genuine connection to the party. She warned against political opportunists joining ODM merely to vie for the deputy presidency.
Omanyo stated: "If the President comes from UDA, then the Deputy President should come from ODM. The ODM person should have an ODM DNA. We will not allow someone who switches parties just to get the running mate role. We will scrutinize and ensure their ODM roots are genuine."
Succession Speculation
Her comments come amid speculation over President Ruto's potential running mate in the 2027 race. Names such as Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Wycliffe Oparanya and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula have been floated.
- Wycliffe Oparanya: Former Kakamega governor and ex-ODM deputy party leader, now serving in Ruto's cabinet. His political influence in Western Kenya and leadership experience have made him a prominent figure in succession talks.
- Moses Wetang'ula: Ford Kenya leader and close Ruto ally, recognized as a key political force in the Western region.
ODM National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed has publicly endorsed Oparanya for the deputy presidency, citing his extensive political and administrative credentials.
Despite the ongoing discussions, no official confirmation has been made by State House or the individuals mentioned regarding the deputy president pick for the 2027 election.
