Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has dismissed claims that his seat is under threat, telling supporters in Meru that he remains firmly in charge as Kenya’s second-in-command.

Speaking at Kariene market on Sunday, February 15, 2026, Kindiki told the crowd to ignore rumours that others were plotting to unseat him ahead of the 2027 General Election.

“Niseme nisiseme! Ati nimesikia kuna watu wameleta wasiwasi huku ati wanasema iko maneno ya wasiwasi huku,” he said.

He challenged those spreading the claims, asking:

“Mimi nawauliza, si mnajua hii serikali mimi ndio number two kwa hiyo serikali? Sasa nauliza, hawa watu wanaongea ongea, wanatuchuna na kucha kama tobacco ya mapua?”

Kindiki urged calm among his supporters.

“Mimi nataka kuwaambia mrelax. Na msiletewe wasiwasi na mambo madogo madogo. Yale watu wanaongea. Watu wa siasa,” he added.

He then stressed his position in clear terms:

“Mimi ndio deputy president wa Kenya. Na hii kiti hakuna mahali kinaenda.”

He ended with a firm declaration:

“Na tukitoka hapa, hakuna kurudi nyuma, ni kusonga mbele.”

His remarks came amid growing calls from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) for the deputy president slot in any coalition arrangement before 2027. The party has openly declared interest in the position as part of negotiations within the broad-based government formed with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

Kindiki had addressed similar concerns a day earlier on February 14. He told supporters not to worry about political noise.

“Msibabaishwe na ile mambo kidogo kidogo ambayo mnaskia hapa na pale. Hii mambo ingine yote ya siasa, sisi ndio mafundi wa siasa, my friend. Na hatuongeangi sana. We know we talk at the right time,” he said. He described the threats as distractions and insisted his camp knew when to act.

ODM push sparks backlash

ODM leaders have stepped up their push in recent days. At a meeting in Mombasa, Oburu Odinga made the party’s position clear.

“That deputy president seat is what we are targeting very strongly,” he said. He argued that ODM’s nationwide support entitled it to what he called its fair share in any coalition with UDA.

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga echoed that message during an event in Kwale County on February 14.

“We have told our leader Dr Oburu Oginga that we as a party have sat in opposition for 20 years, and come 2027, we do not want to stay in opposition anymore,” she said.

Wanga called for formal negotiations.

“We want the ODM party to form the next government in 2027. We should be the government or part of the coalition that forms the government,” she added, urging talks with UDA and other like-minded groups.

Kindiki’s allies have responded strongly. Maragua MP Mary Wamaua Waithera defended the deputy president’s seat on February 14.

“Si tuko position namba mbili? Mnataka hiyo ichukuliwe? Si umeskia ODM wamekuja sana? Tusipoendelea na hii serikali, ile ambayo tumeona kazi yake, kiti yetu ya number two, ya Kithure Kindiki iko wapi? Yako tunandefend,” she said.

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku also rejected ODM’s demands while speaking in Embu on February 13.

“Professor Kithure Kindiki is the Deputy President now. He is the one who will remain DP in 2027 and serve up to 2032,” Ruku stated. He added: “If ODM wants the Deputy President’s seat, we can give it to them in 2032, when Kindiki will be President of the Republic of Kenya.”

Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki called ODM’s bid unrealistic, citing numbers in Parliament. “As much as we are in a broad-based government, the seat of the Deputy President is non-negotiable,” he said.

Kiambaa MP Njuguna Kawanjiku added: “Let them go up, let them go down, we won’t release it… we tell ODM to relax.”

The dispute has spilled into other rivalries. On February 15, Nyali MP Mohamed Ali, also known as Jicho Pevu, mocked Hassan Joho deputy president bid during a rally in Nairobi.

“Na msikuwe na wasi wasi. Yule wa kule bonoko anajiita sultan mimi ndio dawa yake. Si mnajua namna hiyo? Eti sasa naskia anataka kiti ya deputy president. Nitakuja na makasi nitamyoa design mbili. Upara upande moja na upande mwingine.”