Gladys Wanga could be President William Ruto's running mate, just like any other leader in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), but only if they present themselves for such a position and the party organs approve their pursuit, the party has revealed.
Speaking on Monday morning during an interview on NTV, ODM Deputy Party Leader Abdulswamad Nassir, while responding to concerns about whether the unity pact between the party and the ruling Kenya Kwanza Alliance could see President Ruto pick his running mate from ODM in 2027, stated that the party would not hesitate to allow it if approved by the relevant organs.
“Would I propose her to be the DP? First of all, I would have a sit-down with her and ask her if she would be interested in being the Deputy President. There are many people who can be able to be in that position, but if she said yes, then that has to go to the Central Management Committee for deliberation,” Nassir explained.
According to the Mombasa Governor, the decision would ultimately depend on political strategy, regional balance, and internal consensus, noting that any decision would be data-driven and based on numbers.
“We will discuss it internally, weigh ourselves, and ask if there would be someone else who would make a better pick, looking at all regions with equally strong candidates. Options will be weighed out and numbers have to play out,” he said.
However, he clarified that Wanga herself, whose name has repeatedly featured in political circles as one of the possible candidates to be Ruto’s running mate even before the passing of ODM leader Raila Odinga, has not expressed any interest in the position.
Nassir also made it clear that he would not be interested in the position himself, insisting that he was satisfied serving as the Governor of Mombasa County.
Additionally, he maintained that the running mate debate is not among the main priorities of the ODM party at the moment, stressing that the focus is on reorganising and realigning following the passing of its long-time leader.
At the same time, Nassir reiterated that ODM is not in a coalition agreement with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), maintaining that the party is only part of the broad-based government arrangement.
“There’s no crisis in ODM. As it stands, ODM is firmly in the Broad-based Government. But we do not have a coalition agreement,” he stated, adding that future cooperation would depend on the success of the 10-point Memorandum of Understanding signed earlier this year.
The developments come at a time when ODM is set to hold an urgent Central Committee meeting later on Monday to deliberate on key party matters amid growing speculation of an impending Cabinet reshuffle by President Ruto.
The meeting, to be chaired by acting party leader Oburu Odinga, will focus on three main agendas: preparations for upcoming by-elections, celebrating ODM’s 20th anniversary alongside the 80 years of life of its late leader Raila Odinga, and reviewing the 10-point agenda signed between UDA and ODM.
