Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has come out fighting, declaring he is unfazed by the prospect of losing his powerful docket after the 2027 elections. In a display of characteristic political bravado, the ODM chairman insists his career is not tethered to government appointments.

The statement comes amidst swirling speculation about the longevity of the broad-based government arrangement. Mbadi’s remarks cut through the noise, asserting his independence and readiness for any eventuality. "I am not worried," he stated, a declaration that serves as both a reassurance to his base and a warning to his detractors that he remains a political heavyweight in his own right.

The Politics of Survival

Mbadi has never been one to shy away from a skirmish. His tenure at the Treasury has been marked by tough fiscal decisions, but his eye remains fixed on the long game. By decoupling his political worth from his cabinet seat, he is signaling that his influence in Nyanza and within the ODM party structure is non-negotiable.

• ODM Stance: As party chairman, Mbadi is pivotal to Raila Odinga’s succession planning and the party’s strategy for the next election cycle.
• Coalition Dynamics: His confidence suggests a belief that the current political marriage is pragmatic, but not defining for his career.
• The message: He is prepared to return to the trenches of opposition if the political winds shift.

Looking to 2027

With the political landscape shifting daily, Mbadi’s lack of anxiety is telling. It suggests a man who has calculated his options and likes his odds. Whether in the cabinet or on the campaign trail, John Mbadi intends to remain a central figure in Kenya’s political narrative.

"Jobs come and go," he seems to say. "But influence is permanent." For now, he remains the man guarding the national purse, with one eye firmly on the horizon.