ODM Rules Out Gachagua Alliance as Leaders Push for Deputy President Slot in 2027
Eugine Wabwile Juma
3 min read
ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga said the party has several capable leaders who could deputise President Ruto should the broad-based political cooperation evolve into an electoral coalition.
BY MARK MABUSI
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has intensified discussions on its 2027 election strategy, with senior party leaders indicating that the party could back President William Ruto’s re-election under a formal coalition arrangement while seeking the deputy president’s position. The position was reiterated during the ODM Youth Convention in Busia County.
ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga said the party has several capable leaders who could deputise President Ruto should the broad-based political cooperation evolve into an electoral coalition. She maintained that the party would rally behind whichever candidate is selected through its internal processes.
Among the names mentioned as capable of taking up the deputy president’s position were Party Leader Oburu Oginga, Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, former Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho, Kisii Governor Simba Arati and Gladys Wanga herself.
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa urged ODM members to support the broad-based government, arguing that Western Kenya and Nyanza have witnessed increased national development projects under President Ruto’s administration. He cited investments in roads, health facilities, affordable housing and sports infrastructure as evidence of improved government attention to the regions.
Barasa further argued that after President Ruto completes his constitutional two terms, Western Kenya should begin positioning itself to produce Kenya’s next president, saying the region has long supported candidates from other parts of the country.Kisii Governor Simba Arati joined other ODM leaders at the Busia convention, where the party sought to strengthen grassroots support through its nationwide youth engagement programme launched earlier this year.
Despite the growing cooperation with the Kenya Kwanza administration, ODM leaders ruled out any political alliance with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, insisting that future partnerships would only be based on shared values and a common national agenda.The Busia meeting forms part of ODM’s nationwide mobilisation programme targeting 25 counties as the party reorganises its grassroots structures, recruits new members and prepares for the 2027 General Election.
The party has also been seeking to manage internal differences through youth conventions and grassroots engagements following the emergence of differing political positions within ODM over its future direction.Political observers say the latest declarations underline ODM’s attempt to remain influential within the current broad-based arrangement while preserving its bargaining power ahead of formal coalition negotiations.
With political realignments already taking shape, ODM’s eventual decision on whether to field its own presidential candidate or formally back President Ruto is expected to significantly influence the country’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The Busia convention also underscored the growing role of regional leaders in shaping ODM’s succession debate, with governors increasingly emerging as key voices in determining the party’s next political direction.As coalition talks gather momentum, attention will remain on ODM’s internal consultations and whether the party can maintain unity while navigating one of the most consequential political transitions in its history.
