Homabay Governor Gladys Wanga has spoken for the first time on speculation that she is looking to deputise President William Ruto in the 2027 general elections.
Wanga, while speaking in an interview aired on Friday, December 30, revealed that she was going to seek re-election as governor of Homabay in 2027, stating that she was not eying any other top seat aside from her current position as the ODM party chairperson.
"What I can say about the issue is that the people of Homabay elected me as their governor and it is my wish that is if the locals agree, they should re-elect me as their governor. That's my wish, and I am asking them to re-elect me in 2027," Wanga stated.
"I am already a national leader as the chairperson of ODM. I am contended with that. People can talk, and you cannot stop them from airing their views. But it's only God that has plans for everyone," she added.
Her remarks come amid growing speculation that she is likely to become President Ruto's running mate in the 2027 elections, especially after ODM leader Oburu Odinga revealed that the party's lowest position in any coalition negotiations would be that of the running mate.
On Monday, December 29, the Kirinyaga woman representative alleged that Wanga was eying the deputy president position in 2027, and that was why she was trying to attack former president Uhuru Kenyatta.
Regarding the future of ODM, Wanga revealed that 2026 would be a pivotal year, during which the party would discuss its future coalition plans.
This was after calls from Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, who asked the party leader to initiate discussions with Ruto's UDA for a formal coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.
The governor insisted that the party was in a broad-based arrangement with Ruto. However, she clearly stated that they are in the arrangement only up to 2027 and not beyond.
"We did not elect this government. Going to 2027, we must have coalition agreement that must be negotiated for. In the course of 2026, ODM will have its national delegates' convention because this decision is for the entire party and not for an individual. We cannot just say that because we have the memorandum of understanding (mou) we should support ruto beyond 2027. No. we must negotiate properly," she noted.
The possibilities of President Ruto dropping his current deputy and picking Wanga as the potential deputy in 2027 intensified following the formation of the broad-based government.
While no official appointments or agreements have been announced, the possibility has been driven by a significant factor, following President Ruto's promise that in future elections, the UDA party ticket might include a woman as a running mate.
ODM also demanded the running mate position in case it goes into any coalition. Additionally, by picking Wanga, analysts say it will secure the Nyanza voting bloc, a traditionally ODM stronghold, especially after facing challenges in the Mount Kenya region, which greatly supported him in 2022.
Other names who had also been named as potential running mates included Cabinet Secretaries Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya, as well as Siaya Governor James Orengo. However, Wanga's name has repeatedly featured as a possible candidate to be Ruto's deputy, even before the passing of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
