Treasury CS John Mbadi issues hardline warning to divided ODM: Back Ruto’s 2027 re-election or join Gachagua–Kalonzo camp
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has thrown down the gauntlet to wavering Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders, warning that continued fence-sitting over President William Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid risks tearing the party apart as Kenya edges closer to the next General Election.
Speaking on Saturday in Kabondo Kasipul Constituency, the former ODM chairperson delivered a blunt political reality check, arguing that the 2027 presidential contest is effectively settled and that ODM’s strategic focus should shift to positioning itself for 2032.
Mbadi cautioned that internal divisions over ODM’s working arrangement with President Ruto could weaken the party at a critical moment, undermining its relevance in national politics.
“The President of 2027 Is Already Decided”
Mbadi did not sugarcoat his assessment of the political landscape, dismissing the idea that ODM or any new political entrant could realistically unseat Ruto 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.
He went further to pour cold water on speculation about a fresh presidential contender emerging to disrupt the race, insisting that such claims amount to self-deception.
“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.
A Clear Choice: Ruto or the Gachagua–Kalonzo Alliance
In remarks that laid bare growing tensions within ODM, the Treasury CS challenged party members uncomfortable with the Ruto partnership to openly declare where they stand instead of quietly hedging their bets.
Mbadi framed the choice as binary and unavoidable: stand firmly with the sitting president or align with the opposition bloc led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
“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,” the Treasury CS added.
Mbadi’s warning targets ODM leaders who have publicly suggested that the party’s cooperation with President Ruto ends in 2027, a stance he says undermines trust and weakens the party’s influence within government.
According to the CS Mbadi, political survival demands consistency, loyalty to agreements, and partnerships with leaders who have demonstrated the capacity to work with ODM in government.
“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,” stated Mbadi.
His declaration carries a clear subtext: ODM must choose between the access and influence that comes with supporting the sitting president or risk political irrelevance by joining opposition forces that have repeatedly failed to capture the presidency.
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