Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has firmly dismissed calls from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) seeking the Deputy President position, stating that the office is not available under the current government arrangement.

Speaking on Kameme TV on August 3, 2026, Ruku emphasized that Deputy President Kithure Kindiki will serve until the end of President William Ruto’s second term in 2032. He urged ODM leaders to abandon any expectations of securing the country’s second-highest office during this tenure.

"ODM should forget the Deputy President position. Kithure Kindiki is going nowhere; he will occupy the position until 2032," Ruku declared.

He highlighted that Kindiki enjoys President Ruto’s full confidence and remains a key figure within the Kenya Kwanza administration. Ruku also dismissed rumors of a potential reshuffle involving the deputy presidency, stressing that the government’s focus remains on development rather than succession politics.

Defending President Ruto’s choice of Kindiki, Ruku noted that the appointment promotes regional inclusivity by keeping the deputy presidency within the Mt Kenya region.

ODM’s Push for Deputy President Role

Amid ongoing political discussions on the future of the broad-based government formed between President Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga, several ODM leaders have publicly demanded the deputy presidency as part of any forthcoming power-sharing deal.

Senior ODM figures argue that if the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) fields the presidential candidate in 2027, ODM should nominate the running mate. This stance signals ODM’s desire to move beyond Cabinet positions to securing a direct stake in the country’s top leadership.

  • ODM Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati insisted that the deputy president position should be included in coalition negotiations.
  • Arati stated ODM would only relinquish the running mate slot if President Ruto contests under ODM or if Deputy President Kindiki leaves UDA to join ODM.

"Unless President Ruto decides not to run on the UDA ticket but on ODM’s, or Kindiki leaves UDA and joins ODM, he will remain deputy," Arati explained.

Junet Mohamed Backs Wycliffe Oparanya for Deputy President

In a related development, National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed indicated that ODM aims to secure the deputy presidency in a potential 2027 coalition with President Ruto.

Junet proposed Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya as ODM’s preferred candidate for the role, highlighting Oparanya’s extensive experience and leadership within the party.

"The person who has matured, served as a minister, and is our deputy party leader is Wycliffe Oparanya," Junet stated during a public event.