National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed has hinted that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) could seek the deputy president’s position in a political arrangement with President William Ruto ahead of the 2027 general election, proposing Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya as the party’s preferred candidate.

Speaking at a public event, Junet said ODM was working towards forming a government with President Ruto in 2027, suggesting that if the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) retained the presidency, ODM would negotiate for the deputy president’s seat.

“Tumefanya nini? Sisi tunaenda kuungana na kutengeneza serikali ya 2027 na President William Samoei Ruto. Na UDA wakipata President, nani anapata Deputy? ODM wanataka nini? ODM watadai wapate Deputy President.”

Junet endorses Oparanya

Junet went on to endorse Oparanya, citing his long service in ODM and close political ties with party leader Raila Odinga.

“Na yule mtu ambaye amekomaa, amekuwa na Baba miaka na mikaka, ambaye amekuwa waziri, ambaye amekuwa Deputy Party Leader wetu, ni nani? Anaitwa Wycliffe Oparanya!” he said.

His remarks drew cheers from the crowd, fueling fresh speculation about the evolving relationship between ODM and President Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration.

Oparanya, the former Kakamega Governor, currently serves as Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs after being nominated by President Ruto following the broad-based political arrangement reached with ODM in 2024.

He also previously served as ODM’s deputy party leader and remains one of the party’s most senior figures.

Junet’s comments come amid continued debate over the future of the cooperation between ODM and UDA, with leaders from both sides maintaining that their partnership is aimed at promoting national stability and implementing development programmes.

However, the arrangement has also triggered political realignments, with sections of the opposition accusing ODM of abandoning its watchdog role.

UDA-ODM joint manifesto

ODM party leader Oburu Oginga has recently announced that both ODM and UDA have appointed five-member technical teams that have already begun drafting the joint manifesto, which is expected to be completed before the end of the year.

The announcement ends months of uncertainty surrounding the reconstitution of the negotiating committee after internal consultations, competing political interests and intense lobbying over membership delayed the process.

Unlike previous political cooperation between the two parties, the latest negotiations point to the creation of a formal electoral partnership rather than a temporary governing arrangement.

“Our first objective is to obtain political power. Now that we are in power, even though we joined through the window, and we are talking with President William Ruto face to face, we are planning to obtain power through the main door so that we have an even greater voice within government,” Oburu said.