ODM secretary general Catherine Omanyo/HANDOUTODM secretary general Catherine Omanyo has said the Orange party should be allocated the deputy president's position if President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) retains the presidency in the 2027 general election.
Addressing party supporters during a meeting in Busia, Omanyo argued that any power-sharing arrangement between the two parties should guarantee ODM the running mate position.
She insisted that the party would only support a candidate with deep roots in the Orange movement.
"If the President will come from UDA, then the Deputy President should come from ODM," Omanyo said. "And the ODM person should have an ODM DNA."
She dismissed the possibility of political leaders switching parties solely to secure the coveted position, saying ODM would not allow newcomers to take advantage of the party's influence.
"We will not allow somebody from nowhere who hears that ODM will have the running mate role and then decides to join us," she said. "We will not let someone ditch their party and join ODM to get the running mate role. We will scrutinise and ensure his DNA is ODM."
Her remarks come amid growing speculation over who could be Ruto's running mate should he seek re-election in 2027.
Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Wycliffe Oparanya has emerged as one of the names being floated for the position.
The former Kakamega governor served as ODM's deputy party leader before joining Ruto's Cabinet, a move that sparked debate over shifting political alliances.
Oparanya's prominence in Western Kenya and his extensive experience in both county and national leadership have made him a frequent subject of succession discussions.
His appointment to the Kenya Kwanza administration has further fuelled speculation about a broader political realignment ahead of the next election.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula has also been mentioned as a potential running mate. The Ford Kenya leader remains one of Ruto's key allies and is widely regarded as an influential political figure in the Western region.
ODM National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed has publicly backed Oparanya as a suitable candidate for Ruto's running-mate.
Junet has argued that Oparanya's political experience, administrative record, and influence in the Western region make him well placed to occupy the country's second-highest office.
His remarks have fuelled discussion within ODM and the broader political landscape, where leaders continue to weigh regional balance, coalition interests, and party loyalty in the evolving succession debate.
Despite the mounting speculation, neither State House nor the leaders whose names have been linked to the position have publicly confirmed any discussions on the choice of a running mate.
