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ADVERTCooperatives and MSMEs Development Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya has dismissed growing speculation linking him to the Deputy President’s position ahead of the 2027 General Election, insisting he has never campaigned for the office and respects the current holder, Kithure Kindiki.
The former Kakamega governor sought to cool an increasingly heated political debate after weeks of endorsements from sections of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), saying conversations about the country’s second-highest office are both premature and misplaced.
“I have not thought about becoming Deputy President. That office is already occupied by someone, and I respect him. He is doing a very good job. It is premature to talk about it,” Oparanya said on Monday.
The remarks are the clearest indication yet that the Cabinet Secretary is distancing himself from succession politics at a time when alliances for the 2027 presidential race are beginning to take shape.
Oparanya disclosed that he was taken by surprise when Junet Mohamed publicly proposed him as President William Ruto’s running mate.
ADVERTAccording to the CS, the endorsement was neither discussed with him nor initiated by him.
“I was surprised when Junet stood up during a meeting and spoke about it without my knowledge. He has continued making those remarks even though I have never asked him to,” Oparanya explained.
His clarification comes after Junet declared that ODM should negotiate for the Deputy President’s slot if it enters a formal coalition with the ruling UDA party ahead of the next General Election.
The Suna East MP argued that Oparanya would be the ideal candidate to occupy the position under such an arrangement, citing his administrative experience and political stature in Western Kenya.
Junet’s remarks have intensified speculation over a possible ODM-UDA electoral alliance in 2027, with political observers closely watching how President Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga manage their increasingly cooperative relationship.
Although no official coalition agreement has been announced, leaders from both political formations have continued signalling closer collaboration, triggering debate over possible power-sharing arrangements.
The Deputy President’s position has emerged as one of the most closely watched aspects of those discussions, especially after Kindiki assumed office and consolidated support within the Kenya Kwanza administration.
The debate has also exposed divisions within the political establishment.
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku dismissed suggestions that Kindiki could be replaced as President Ruto’s deputy, urging Oparanya to focus on delivering his Cabinet mandate instead of being drawn into political succession debates.
Ruku maintained that Kindiki enjoys the confidence of the President and insisted that his position is secure.
He also challenged ODM leaders pushing for the Deputy President’s slot, arguing that Kindiki’s supporters could equally participate in ODM politics if necessary to protect his political interests.
Despite mounting political speculation, Oparanya has reiterated that his priority remains implementing the government’s cooperatives and MSMEs agenda rather than engaging in early succession campaigns.
His remarks are likely to ease immediate political pressure while reinforcing the message that any discussions on the 2027 presidential ticket remain speculative.
However, with political realignments already gathering momentum across the country, analysts expect the debate over who ultimately becomes President Ruto’s running mate to remain one of Kenya’s defining political conversations over the coming months.
For now, Oparanya’s position is unequivocal: he is not seeking the Deputy President’s office, and the seat belongs to Kithure Kindiki.
