By Joshua Otieno | April 28, 2026
MALINDI, KENYA — Homa Bay Governor and ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga has declared that the Orange Democratic Movement will demand an equal power-sharing arrangement in any future coalition with United Democratic Alliance ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during an ODM Youth Convention in Malindi on Sunday, Wanga emphasized that the party would not enter negotiations as a junior partner, insisting on a 50-50 formula in government formation.
“The ODM party cannot be beggars in a coalition. If they produce the President, we must produce the Deputy President, and the rest of the positions should be shared equally,” she stated.
Wanga also threw her weight behind Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho as the party’s preferred candidate for the Deputy President position, describing him as a capable and strategic leader.
“Joho has what it takes. Is Joho good enough or not?” she posed, signaling ODM’s readiness to front him in high-stakes negotiations.
The governor further outlined conditions for any potential talks, taking a firm stance against engaging with leaders she accused of questionable land dealings, in remarks widely interpreted as targeting former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his allies.
Her comments come amid ongoing political realignments, including recent consultations between President William Ruto and ODM leadership aimed at forming a Broad-Based Management Committee to harmonize government priorities.
Wanga’s proposal points to the emergence of a possible Nyanza-Coast political axis, which could significantly shape the 2027 electoral landscape. However, it also introduces complexity for the current administration, particularly following the appointment of Kithure Kindiki as Deputy President.
Separately, ODM leaders gathered in Mombasa County for the groundbreaking of the Raila Odinga Hospital in Kongowea, Nyali, a project aimed at upgrading the existing health facility into a modern medical center.
The initiative, held in honor of the late Raila Odinga, was attended by key party figures, including Governor Abdulswammad Nassir and Governor Simba Arati, and is expected to expand access to quality and affordable healthcare in the region.
