Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has broken her silence on growing speculation that she is positioning herself to be President William Ruto’s running mate in the 2027 General Election, firmly dismissing the claims and saying her focus remains on defending her seat at the county.
Speaking in an interview aired on Friday, December 30, Wanga said she intends to seek re-election as Homa Bay governor in 2027 and is not eyeing any other top political office, beyond her current role as chairperson of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
“The people of Homa Bay elected me as their governor, and my wish is that if they agree, they re-elect me as their governor,” Wanga said. “That is my wish, and I am asking them to re-elect me in 2027.”
She added that her position as ODM chairperson already places her at the national leadership level, saying she is content with that role and unfazed by political speculation.
“I am already a national leader as the chairperson of ODM. I am contented with that. People can talk, and you cannot stop them from airing their views, but it is only God who has plans for everyone,” she said.
Her remarks come amid heightened political chatter that has linked her to the deputy president position in 2027, especially after remarks by Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga that ODM’s minimum bargaining position in any future coalition talks would be the running mate slot.
The speculation was further fueled earlier this week when the Kirinyaga Woman Representative alleged that Wanga was angling for the deputy president position and suggested this was behind her recent criticism of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
On the future of ODM, Wanga said 2026 would be a decisive year for the party, as it weighs its coalition options ahead of the next election. This follows calls by Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir urging ODM to initiate formal coalition talks with President Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
While acknowledging that ODM is currently part of a broad-based arrangement with the Ruto administration, Wanga was clear that the cooperation is limited to the current term and does not automatically extend beyond 2027.
“We did not elect this government,” she said. “As we head to 2027, any coalition must be negotiated. In 2026, ODM will hold its national delegates’ convention because this decision belongs to the entire party, not an individual.”
She added that the existing memorandum of understanding does not bind the party to support President Ruto beyond 2027.
“We cannot just say that because we have an MoU, we should support Ruto beyond 2027. No. We must negotiate properly,” she said.
Speculation around a possible Wanga–Ruto ticket intensified after the formation of the broad-based government, coupled with President Ruto’s earlier promise that his party could consider a woman as a running mate in future elections.
Political analysts have also pointed out that an ODM-backed running mate could help Ruto secure the Nyanza voting bloc, a traditional ODM stronghold, at a time when his support in parts of the Mount Kenya region has shown signs of strain.
Other names that have previously been floated as possible running mates include Cabinet Secretaries Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya, as well as Siaya Governor James Orengo. Still, Wanga’s name has consistently featured in such discussions, even before the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
For now, however, the Homa Bay governor insists her political sights remain firmly set on her county.
