'Non-negotiable!' Mt. Kenya leaders reject ODM bid for Deputy President's position

Mt. Kenya region leaders loyal to the broad-based government have dismissed the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party’s ambitions for the Deputy President's seat, terming the proposal made by orange leader Oburu Oginga as a non-starter.

The Mt. Kenya leaders say the number 2 position is not up for negotiation, with a number of them threatening to leave the broad-based government should ODM insist, with others suggesting that DP Kithure Kindiki should just cross over and join ODM.

Speaking in Mombasa recently, Oburu openly declared that his party is keen on the Deputy President’s seat in any coalition talks with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, remarks that have sparked uproar among Kindiki’s allies.

Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki said: “As much as we are in a broad-based government, the seat of the Deputy President is non-negotiable. That is a dream. ODM’s numbers cannot match what we have on this side.”

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffery Ruku added: “If ODM wants the Deputy President’s seat, we can discuss that in 2032 when Kindiki becomes President. For now, the seat is not vacant.”

Some of the leaders said insistence by ODM on taking the seat would be the breaking point with the broad-based government.

Kiambaa MP Njuguna Kawanjiku said: “Waende juu, waende chini, hatuwachilii. Kama kuna kitu inaweza fanya tutoke kwa hii serikali na hiyo muungano, ni kiti ya namba mbili…tunaambia ODM warelax.”

His Thika counterpart Alice Ng’ang’a chimed in: “Naibu wa Rais, usiku na mchana, ni Kithure Kindiki…non-negotiable!”

The leaders who spoke separately in Meru, Kiambu and and Tharaka said they are behind the Deputy President and accused ODM of trying to dictate terms.

Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri stated: “Kila mtu anaona msichana mzuri anaitwa kiti ya Deputy President, lakini huyu msichana ako na mwenyewe. Ni bibi ya mtu, ametolewa mahari, kunyemelewa sisi ni kuhakikisha tumelisha vizuri, kwa nini tuogope mwanume mwengine?”

Imenti Central lawmaker Kirima Nguchine said “Lakini Kusema Kweli ata nikikuita kwa nyumba yangu unakalia kiti yenye nimekalia ama ile yenye nakupatia?”

Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki, speaking tongue-in-cheek, suggested that the Deputy President could as well cross the aisle.

“Should ODM really insist that they want to stay in broad-based with that seat, we are willing to make only one basic compromise. We give them Kithure Kindiki to join ODM,” he said.

The resistance from Mt. Kenya leaders sets the stage for what could be tough and delicate negotiations between ODM and UDA ahead of 2027.