Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has moved to calm rising political anxiety within the ruling coalition, declaring that Kenya’s broad-based government has room for every political faction despite growing tensions over the DP position.
Speaking amid renewed debate about power-sharing and succession politics, Kindiki assured ODM leaders that the current political arrangement was designed to unite rather than divide the country. His remarks come at a sensitive moment when speculation over control of the deputy presidency threatens to test the fragile cooperation between former rivals now attempting to govern together under a unity framework.
Kindiki delivered his message on Friday, February 27, directly addressing ODM supporters and leaders who have recently intensified calls for greater representation within government.
He insisted that fears of exclusion were misplaced and warned politicians against framing leadership positions as political battlegrounds.
“Do not worry about anything. This broad-based government will be enough for all of us. It is not about one against the other,” Kindiki said, emphasizing inclusion as the guiding principle behind the coalition.
The Deputy President argued that Kenya’s political stability depends on cooperation rather than competition for offices. He maintained that the government’s structure allows multiple communities to participate meaningfully in national leadership without triggering conflict.
According to Kindiki, the unity arrangement reflects a deliberate shift away from winner-takes-all politics that has historically fueled divisions after elections.
Tensions Over DP Position Test Broad-Based Government Unity
Political temperatures have risen sharply in recent weeks as reports emerged suggesting that ODM leaders are eyeing the deputy president position within the evolving political arrangement. The speculation has reignited debates about power-sharing, loyalty, and succession planning ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Kindiki’s remarks appeared carefully calibrated to lower the political heat while protecting his own position without appearing defensive.
He stressed that leadership negotiations should not undermine national unity or derail development priorities. Instead, he framed the broad-based government as a long-term solution meant to stabilize governance and deliver services across regions that have historically felt excluded.
The Deputy President pointed specifically to the Nyanza region, arguing that its political leadership and residents had grown weary of remaining in perpetual opposition.
He claimed that the region now seeks tangible development outcomes rather than symbolic political resistance.
“The opposition role was previously for the Nyanza region, but this time they have said they are tired of it. They want to be in government because they want roads and electricity,” Kindiki said.
His comments signaled an attempt to redefine ODM’s participation in government as a development-driven decision rather than a power grab.
ODM Signals Ambition Without Personal Rivalry
Despite Kindiki’s conciliatory tone, ODM leaders have not backed away from their political ambitions. Party figures have openly acknowledged interest in the deputy president role, arguing that the position belongs to the public rather than any individual office holder.
ODM leader Oburu Odinga recently clarified that the party holds no personal hostility toward Kindiki but remains determined to compete politically for the position.
“The Deputy President’s seat is the one we are targeting the most. We have no personal animosity towards the Deputy President, but his seat is a public seat,” Oburu stated during a meeting in Mombasa.
The statement underscored a delicate balancing act within the coalition. ODM seeks greater influence while avoiding accusations of destabilizing the government it recently joined.
Political analysts view this strategy as an attempt to maintain relevance ahead of 2027 while benefiting from participation in government programs.
Raila Odinga’s Legacy and the Push for Inclusive Politics
Kindiki also invoked the legacy of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, praising his role in steering ODM toward cooperation with the government. He described the decision as a statesmanlike move intended to reduce political hostility and promote inclusive national development.
By crediting Raila, Kindiki attempted to anchor the unity arrangement in shared national interests rather than transactional politics.
He argued that inclusive governance allows communities across Kenya to feel represented, reducing the cycle of political alienation that has shaped previous administrations.
However, critics remain skeptical. Some observers believe the ongoing debate over the deputy president position exposes underlying competition masked by unity rhetoric.
The timing of ODM’s renewed ambitions has fueled speculation that early succession politics have already begun despite leaders publicly focusing on development.
For now, Kindiki’s message seeks to project stability. He continues to emphasize that government positions should expand opportunity rather than trigger rivalry.
Whether that message holds will depend on how coalition partners manage expectations as political ambitions intensify.
As tensions over the DP position continue to simmer, Kenya’s broad-based government faces its first major internal political test. The coming months will reveal whether calls for inclusivity can outweigh the pressures of succession politics in a coalition built on former opposition alliances.
