Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has cautioned that uncertainty within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) over backing President William Ruto’s 2027 re-election could polarise the party ahead of the next general election.
Speaking on Saturday in Kabondo Kasipul Constituency, Mbadi urged ODM to start strategising for the 2032 elections, noting that Ruto is widely expected to run unopposed in 2027.
“We must strategise, we must be tactful, we must form alliances which make sense. And you cannot talk about we are with you up to 2027. After 2027, where are we going? The president of 2027 is already decided,” said Mbadi, a former ODM Chairperson.
“There is no new candidate who will come and make an impact. That is a lie. This is a time now to prepare ourselves for 2032,” he added.
Mbadi further challenged ODM members who are hesitant to support Ruto to openly declare their allegiance to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua rather than wasting time.
“And you cannot prepare yourself for 2032 if you want to work alone. You must work with other people. Either we work with that united opposition of Gachagua, Kalonzo, or we remain behind Ruto. We give him a second chance as we plan for 2032. That is the only thing,” Mbadi said.
The Treasury CS also criticised ODM leaders insisting the party will support Ruto only until 2027 under the broad-based government agreement forged by the late Raila Odinga. He warned that failing to adhere to the pact could strain ODM’s relationship with the President.
“And we cannot work with people who have gone down previously. We can only work with people who have demonstrated that they can work with us,” Mbadi added.
