Nandi senator Samson Cherargei has sought to address the uncertainty that is apparently building up regarding President William Ruto's re-election bid in 2027.
Whilst it is certain that Ruto will defend his post, the question of his running mate remains one for many to ponder.
The president is currently in an arrangement with the ODM party, with which he is running the government under the broad-based arrangement.
The Orange party, which has been disoriented by the death of its longstanding leader, Raila Odinga, is currently sharply divided on whether or not to sustain its partnership with Ruto.
The faction that is pulling toward the president declared that it must be part of the next government if it won't form it as the main player.
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They also appeared to suggest that the deputy president's post is the least they could ask for.
Weighing in on the dilemma, Cherargei insisted that the deputy president's post is a preserve of the UDA party, with which the ODM party is in the foregoing broad-based working pact.
Speaking on Sunday, November 16, at a church function attended by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki in Nandi, Cherargei noted that the deputy president's post in 2027 is a foregone conclusion.
That Kindiki is the president's de facto running mate in the upcoming vote.
Seeming to address the ODM party indirectly, Cherargei indicated that the Orange party is open to other posts within the Executive, but should not train its gun on the presidency.
"I saw some people arguing that in case there are negotiations in the broad-based government, but they should not forget that there are two posts we won't negotiate about in the likely coalition; the president and deputy president's posts. I want to tell them to go for any other position, but we won't compromise on those two in any negotiations," Cherargei said.
The senator assured Kindiki that he will maintain the post as a reciprocation for his support of the president.
Cherargei stated that the irreducible minimums are not limited to ODM only, but also to any other political side that might seek to partner with Ruto.
"In any negotiations that will build a coalition going to 2027 and 2032, the deputy president of Ruto will be Professor Kindiki. This will be a thank you to him for standing with our son Ruto. I want to tell my colleagues in the broad-based government or any other side that the two top seats are already gone," he added.
He added that the gesture would not stop at Kindiki's assured return to the Office of the Deputy President, but also grooming him for the presidency in 2032.
