The Mountain’s Ultimatum: Why Mt. Kenya Leaders Have Officially Rejected the ODM Deputy President Bid
In the complex chessboard of Kenyan politics, February 2026 has emerged as the month of “The Great Rejection.” What started as whispers in the corridors of Parliament has exploded into a full-scale regional revolt. Mt. Kenya leaders have sent a crystal-clear message to State House: The Deputy President’s office is a “Reserved Zone” for the Mountain.
As the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) continues to integrate into the “Broad-Based Government,” their eyes have reportedly turned toward the 2027 running mate position. However, for Mt. Kenya, this is a bridge too far.
1. The “Non-Negotiable” Doctrine
On February 12, 2026, a caucus of Mt. Kenya legislators, led by allies of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, declared that any deal between President William Ruto and the ODM party that involves the DP position is “null and void.”
The reasoning is simple: The Mountain provides the largest voting bloc for the Kenya Kwanza administration. To replace a son or daughter of the Mountain with an ODM candidate is seen as the ultimate political betrayal.
2. The Oburu Oginga Factor: A Party in Transition
Since the late Raila Odinga took a step back from active party leadership (moving toward his AU role and later passing in 2025), his brother Oburu Oginga has taken the reins of an ODM in flux.
Internal Friction: While Oburu has been steering ODM toward a formal coalition with Ruto, younger lions like Edwin Sifuna have faced internal purges for wanting to keep the party in the opposition.
The Power Grab: Mt. Kenya leaders suspect that Oburu’s faction is negotiating for the DP slot as a “legacy prize” for the Luo community, a move they are prepared to fight with every political tool available.
3. The Shadow of Rigathi Gachagua
You cannot discuss Mt. Kenya without the ghost of the 2024 impeachment. Rigathi Gachagua, now leading the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), has been watching from the sidelines with a “told-you-so” grin.
The Unification: Ironically, the threat of an ODM Deputy President is doing what Ruto couldn’t: unifying the Gachagua and Kindiki factions.
The Common Enemy: Both sides of the Mountain now agree that an ODM DP would permanently tilt the scale of national resources (the “One Man, One Shilling” debate) away from Central Kenya.
