The acting Secretary General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has sensationally declared that the party is not for sale and that they are coming for the Presidency in 2027.

In a high-octane interview on Wednesday night, February 25, 2026, Catherine Omanyo dismissed suggestions that the party is merely auditioning for a junior role in the next government.

Despite the party’s current cooperation with President William Ruto’s administration, Omanyo insisted that ODM remains a powerhouse with its sights set on the ultimate prize.

When pressed by the host on whether the party was simply positioning itself to secure the Deputy President position, Omanyo hit back with a defiant ultimatum for the party’s rivals.

Responding to the question of whether the party was insisting on the second-in-command slot, Omanyo was uncompromising.

“Any seat, we want even the bigger seat,” Omanyo declared.

The statement marks a significant shift in rhetoric from the opposition party, which many observers believed was transitioning into a supportive role within the government’s broad-based framework.

When the host pointed out that the current party leader, Oburu Oginga, had publicly expressed his desire to be Deputy President, Omanyo went even further, suggesting the elder Oginga has the credentials to occupy State House himself.

“And he is capable of even being a president. Are you hearing me well? With the experience he has, he is whatever he wants to be,” she said.

Presidential candidate

Addressing the looming 2027 General Election, Omanyo promised a democratic free-for-all within the party to find the strongest candidate.

She brushed off the idea that the party hierarchy had already made up its mind on a running-mate strategy, vowing that every position, including the Presidency, is on the table.

“We are going to field our presidential candidate. Tujaamua (We haven’t decided), we will discuss. It is a democratic world – majina ziwekwe hapa (let names be put here) nominations zije mwenye atashinda we will go with that one,” Omanyo stated.

The interview took a turn for the humorous when the host tried to pin her down on Oburu Oginga’s recent campaign for the DP seat.

Omanyo suggested that the veteran politician’s previous remarks might have been a slip of the tongue or a tactical move, rather than a final decision.

When the host asked, “Lakini Oburu anataka deputy,” (But Oburu wants the Deputy seat), Omanyo smiled and played down the ambition.

“Hajaamua sana (He hasn’t quite decided), you know we say some things sometimes,” she quipped.

The remarks are likely to cause a stir within the broad-based government, as Omanyo’s President-or-bust stance signals that ODM is far from being a junior partner in any future political marriage.