Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire have dismissed calls by ODM leader Dr Oburu Oginga for a deputy president slot as provocative, insisting the seat is not vacant.

Speaking at a Thanksgiving service at Kanthoki Full Gospel Church, Evurore Ward, Mbeere North, Embu, on Sunday, February 22, 2026, Ruku told local leaders to stop repeating claims about the deputy presidency and focus on cooperation.

“Jameni mnatukera. Mnatukera. Mweshimiwa Oburu unatu kera. Ulisema ukiwa pale Mombasa tukasikia. Kwa nini urudie tena na tena? Wacha kukera sisi,” Ruku said.

He added:

“It is not vacant. Iko na mtu ambaye anajua kufanya kazi yake. Iko na mtu ambaye amesaidia Rais wa Kenya. Serikali ya Kenya imetulia, mipango ya Kenya inaendelea vizuri, pesa imepatikana. Kwa nini wewe, Oburu, uendelee kukera sisi?”

Ruku emphasised that Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has the full support of President William Ruto and is actively contributing to the government’s agenda.

“Tumesikia usiendelee kurudia tena. Ju umerudia mara nyingi. Wacha kukera sisi. Professor Kithure Kindiki ako na wafuasi wake wengi kutoka Kiambu, Nyandarua, Embu, Pwani, Western, na Nyanza. Kwa hivyo kama kuna kiti unataka, tafadhali Oburu na chama cha ODM, wacha kurudia maneno hayo tena,” he said.

Governor Mbarire also defended Kindiki’s role, saying the deputy president has been instrumental in driving development in Mt. Kenya East. She added that local leaders should unite behind him rather than being drawn into unnecessary political disputes.

Ruku’s remarks follow a string of statements by Kindiki himself, who has repeatedly dismissed claims that his seat is under threat. At a rally in Meru County on February 15, Kindiki told supporters to ignore rumours about attempts to unseat him ahead of the 2027 general election.

“Niseme nisiseme! Ati nimesikia kuna watu wameleta wasiwasi huku, ati wanasema iko maneno ya wasiwasi. Mimi nataka kuwaambia mrelax. Na msiletewe wasiwasi na mambo madogo madogo. Yale watu wanaongea, watu wa siasa,” Kindiki said.

He reiterated his position clearly:

“Mimi ndio deputy president wa Kenya. Na hii kiti hakuna mahali kinaenda. Na tukitoka hapa, hakuna kurudi nyuma, ni kusonga mbele.”

Kindiki calls for political calm

Kindiki has also urged the political class to tone down what he called fierce political heat generated by ongoing debates over power-sharing. He said the country should not be dragged into early political contests.

“We are the masters of this political game. At the right time, I will play our cards properly. I have no record of losing any political contest,” he said, while appealing to voters in areas heading to by-elections to support United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidates.

The renewed tension comes after Oburu Oginga, during a meeting in Mombasa, indicated that ODM intends to negotiate for the deputy president slot in any future coalition. He argued that ODM’s nationwide support entitles the party to a fair share in government positions.

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga reinforced the push, noting that ODM has spent 20 years in opposition and expects a stake in the 2027 government.

Ruku and other Mt. Kenya leaders have described these claims as unnecessary provocation. Ruku said that the Ruto-Kindiki partnership is functioning well and that attempts to “fix” it are counterproductive.

“President William Ruto and his Deputy President Kithure Kindiki are working well and focused on the development of our country. If it is working, don’t fix it,” he said.

Other leaders in the region have echoed the message. Maragua MP Mary Wamaua Waithera defended the deputy president’s seat, saying it is non-negotiable. Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki and Kiambaa MP Njuguna Kawanjiku described ODM’s demands as unrealistic, highlighting the government’s broad-based arrangement and parliamentary numbers.