Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has declared that the Mount Kenya region, particularly Mt Kenya East, will remain firmly behind President William Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid, regardless of whether Deputy President Kithure Kindiki is retained as his running mate.
Speaking during an interview on NTV on Monday, Ruku said the President has the constitutional authority to choose his running mate and urged Kenya Kwanza supporters to respect whatever decision Ruto makes ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Despite affirming the President’s prerogative, Ruku expressed his personal support for Kindiki, praising his performance as Deputy President and describing him as an effective principal assistant to the Head of State.
“I support Kindiki to continue being the DP because he has performed very well as Ruto’s principal assistant. He has outperformed himself as DP, and I think he is suited to be the DP from 2027 to 2032,” Ruku stated.
He added:
“If he is not picked, we will continue supporting Ruto. It is the prerogative of the head of state to choose his running mate.”
Remarks Follow ODM’s Push for Oparanya
Ruku’s comments come a day after the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) intensified calls for the Deputy President’s position to be allocated to the party under the broad-based government arrangement.
During a political rally in Malava, Kakamega County, ODM leaders endorsed Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya as President Ruto’s preferred running mate in the 2027 elections.
Led by Acting Secretary General Catherine Omanyo, the party argued that while the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) would produce the presidential candidate, ODM should nominate the Deputy President.
“UDA should produce the president while ODM will produce the DP, and we will present Oparanya,” Junet said during the rally.
Ruku Rejects Oparanya’s Bid
Responding to ODM’s proposal, Ruku said politicians were free to express interest in any political office, describing such ambitions as part of democratic competition.
However, he dismissed Oparanya’s push for the Deputy President’s seat, insisting that Kindiki has performed effectively in office and deserves to remain President Ruto’s running mate.
The Cabinet Secretary maintained that the President alone will determine who joins him on the 2027 ticket, and that Kenya Kwanza supporters should unite behind that decision.
Ruku’s remarks add to the growing political debate surrounding the Deputy President’s position, which is increasingly emerging as one of the key issues in negotiations within the broad-based government as political parties begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.
