Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Jeremiah Kioni has come out to explain why the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) will not be given a running mate slot, as the party is demanding.

Speaking during an interview with a local media station on Tuesday, January 27, 2025, he explained that the ODM, which is currently fragmented on the direction the party should take in the run-up to the 2027 General Election, has one faction led by Oburu Odinga wanting the party to support President William Ruto for his re-election and demanding that the party be given a deputy president slot.

The other faction, led by the party’s Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, opposes this move and wants the party to field its own candidate to face President William Ruto in the 2027 election.

Kioni further argued that the faction led by Oburu Odinga has fewer members and less support within the party and nationwide and would not be able to convince UDA to offer them a deputy president slot.

He further added that the Sifuna-led team, which according to him has the majority following across the country, would have been able to convince the president for a deputy presidential slot, but it is not interested in entering into a pact with the ruling UDA party.

He also stated that the president has shifted his focus from the Nyanza region and is now concentrating on the Mt Kenya region, directing resources to the mountain people, making it difficult for him to grant a deputy president slot to ODM as they wish.

Kioni further added that it will be difficult for the Oburu-led ODM faction to even be given a ministerial position due to its limited numbers.

“It’s not ODM that is asking for a DP position; it’s a wing within ODM led by Oburu that wants a DP position. They won’t get it; the portion that is behind Oburu is very small, and also the votes that his team is able to garner are also insignificant. They won’t negotiate for anything; maybe a ministerial position if they are lucky,” Kioni said.

ODM factions

The disintegration within ODM was witnessed on Sunday, January 25, 2025, when the two factions held separate events: the Oburu-led faction held a Linda Ground Forum in Kisii, while the Sifuna-led faction held a church service in Kawangware before making rallies in the area.

The Sifuna faction took the opportunity to throw jabs at the Oburu faction, accusing them of betraying the spirit of Raila Odinga.

Orengo’s demands

Siaya Governor James Orengo, who also opposes the Oburu-led team, slammed the party for lacking a presidential candidate.