Oburu Oginga has clarified the Orange Democratic Movement’s position on the Deputy President seat ahead of the 2027 General Election, affirming that the party is keenly eyeing the position.
Speaking on Wednesday, February 11, Oburu dismissed claims that his earlier remarks had been misinterpreted to suggest that ODM was not interested in the seat.
“There was something that people misinterpreted. They claimed that I said that ODM does not want the DP seat, but that’s the position we have our eyes on. What I said is that we do not have a personal grudge or issue with Kindiki, but that seat is a public position,” he stated.
Also Read
The Deputy President position is currently held by Kithure Kindiki.
Oburu emphasized that ODM’s interest in the seat is political rather than personal, maintaining that occupying the office would be in line with the party’s broader strategy ahead of the next general election.
Criticism of Uhuru Kenyatta
In the same address, Oburu turned his criticism toward former President Uhuru Kenyatta, accusing him of sidelining ODM despite past political cooperation.
“I would like Uhuru, who was the President. He was with my brother after the handshake yet he did not even give us one cabinet seat and he lied to us that he would deliver the presidency,” Oburu said.
“He lied to Raila that he would make him the president, yet the election was stolen right under his nose, and he did nothing. Now we are asking him to let us do what we want to as ODM and that he stops interfering with ODM,” he added.
Rift With Sifuna
The remarks come days after Oburu publicly criticized Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna over comments made during a past interview, which exposed what appeared to be deep divisions within ODM.
In a statement released on Friday, February 6, Oburu accused Sifuna of misleading party supporters and shaping public discourse in a manner that does not reflect official party positions.
Responding to Sifuna’s claims questioning the legitimacy of some ODM national officials and party organs, Oburu argued that Sifuna himself rose to office through the same internal processes he now appears to challenge.
“When Sen. Sifuna questioned the legality of some national officials on the basis that they were elected by the National Governing Council, he overlooked a fundamental fact: he himself was elected Secretary General by the same organ in February 2018 and discharged the functions of that office fully and effectively until February 2022, when the National Delegates Convention subsequently endorsed him. One cannot selectively invalidate the very processes that conferred legitimacy upon oneself,” Oburu said.
Oburu further faulted Sifuna for allegedly failing to distinguish between personal opinions and official party policy, arguing that this has caused confusion among members and supporters.
“ODM has, since its inception, demonstrated fidelity to its Constitution and to the rule of law. The same principle has put every individual in their rightful position, including that of Sen. Sifuna. We want to state categorically that all Party officials are serving substantially and supported by the Party organ resolutions,” he stated.
The ODM leader also took issue with what he described as contradictory statements by Sifuna regarding possible coalition talks between ODM and President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), signaling continued tensions within the party as it positions itself for 2027.
The developments underscore growing internal debates within ODM over strategy, leadership, and alliances as the political landscape begins to take shape ahead of the next general election.