A group of leaders from the Mt. Kenya region, aligned with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, has expressed strong intentions to withdraw from the broad-based government if discussions to remove Kithure Kindiki from his position as Deputy President continue.
On February 13, 2026, Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki spearheaded these calls, asserting that Kindiki’s role is non-negotiable and should remain intact. He emphasized that if the Deputy President must come from another party, such as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), the only acceptable compromise would be to allow Kindiki to join ODM, which he described as their “irreducible minimum.”
“The only concession we can agree to is permitting Kindiki to join ODM if absolutely necessary, while maintaining that the Deputy President role is non-negotiable,” the governor firmly stated.
During a forum in Thika, Kiambaa MP John Kawanjiku echoed this sentiment, warning that any attempt to undermine Kindiki would lead them to exit the broad-based coalition and the Kenya Kwanza government.
“Touching Kindiki could compel us to leave this coalition and government,” Kawanjiku remarked.
Similarly, Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a reiterated that Kindiki’s position remains non-negotiable.
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geofrey Ruku has issued a cautionary message to the ODM party, affirming that the Deputy President position will not be available in the 2027 elections. He assured that Kithure Kindiki would not be sidelined.
In a video shared by prominent lawyer and political strategist Saitabao Kanchory on February 13, 2026, Ruku urged ODM members to abandon their aspirations for the Deputy President position. He acknowledged the Mount Kenya region’s commitment to the broad-based government while asserting that Kindiki would retain his role until 2032.
Ruku encouraged the ODM party to consider negotiating for the Deputy President position only after Kindiki has fulfilled his term.
This development follows ODM party leader Oburu Oginga’s statement, asserting that ODM will accept nothing less than the Deputy President position. He clarified that the party bears no ill will towards Kindiki but stressed the importance of retaining the deputy presidential slot within their ranks.
