When asked whether he was the undisputed Mt Kenya kingpin during a round-table media interview a fortnight ago, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki dismissed the notion outright.
Kindiki, who ascended to the second highest office largely due to the political missteps of his predecessor, Rigathi Gachagua, was keen to distance himself from being branded a regional leader. Instead, he emphasised his intention to heal the divisions caused by his forerunner.
“Which office is that?” Kindiki retorted when K24 news anchor Joel Chacha asked if he now stood as the undisputed Mt Kenya leader following Gachagua’s unceremonious ouster. Many had previously viewed Gachagua as the heir to Mt Kenya’s political mantle.
Kindiki clarified that such a position did not exist within the broader framework of government, emphasising that his sole focus was to serve Kenyans from the legally mandated office he currently holds.
He also dismissed any speculations surrounding Gachagua, citing their friendship and the ongoing court case related to Gachagua’s ouster.
READ: Ruto takes a swipe at Gachagua as he urges Kindiki to deliver
However, as the New Year begins and the 2027 elections loom, the DP appears to have shifted his approach. He now seems intent on consolidating his influence in the Mt Kenya region to both strengthen his political base and maintain President William Ruto’s hold on the vote-rich area.
In just the first week of 2025, DP Kindiki has ramped up his engagements in Mt Kenya, promoting the Kenya Kwanza economic transformation agenda while simultaneously criticising Gachagua, now a vocal government opponent.
His activities in the region, viewed as hostile to the government, are seen as an effort to erode any remaining support for Gachagua and bolster President Ruto’s popularity, which has taken a hit following the former deputy president’s ouster.
Stern warning
As President Ruto focuses on winning over the Western and Nyanza regions, Kindiki’s recent actions suggest a strategic move to challenge his predecessor for dominance in the Mt Kenya region.
On Sunday, the Deputy President toured Embu County, abandoning his typically calm but assertive demeanour to directly criticise Gachagua.
He accused his predecessor and his allies of inciting Kenyans against the government, delivering a stern warning during his address.
In a thinly veiled statement and without directly naming the former Deputy President, Kindiki warned that Gachagua would not be allowed to engage in political activities likely to disturb peace in the country.
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He was speaking at Kamumu Full Gospel Church in Mbeere, Embu County, where he accused Gachagua of constantly spreading falsehoods about the government and disrespecting other leaders.
“Leadership is not about bragging; it’s about offering solutions. When God blesses you with an opportunity to serve and you start attacking other leaders, that is wrong. We will not allow anyone to incite Kenyans or complain about problems without offering solutions. No! We will not tolerate that,” Kindiki stated.
He also criticised Gachagua for what he called false claims that the Kenya Kwanza administration had not launched any development projects since taking office.
“In this country, we will not allow anyone to incite Kenyans without helping them resolve their problems. We will not allow this to continue,” Kindiki emphasised.
Met small-scale traders
The Deputy President further urged Gachagua and his allies to show respect towards government leaders.
“I am not confrontational, but let me tell you that I am not a coward… tuheshimiane (let’s respect each other) because we deserve respect. When I was Interior Cabinet Secretary, bandits who were stealing cattle and killing people underrated me. They proudly walked around saying I would not win the battle against banditry simply because I did not have a voice to bark. But I proved to them that I was a force to reckon with. Today, the president is celebrating this achievement,” he said.
ALSO READ: Worlds apart: How Kindiki’s tenure is likely to differ from Gachagua’s
At the same time, Gachagua was speaking at a church service in Nyeri, where he claimed that the National Government had enlisted former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga to garner support for the Kenya Kwanza administration amid sustained criticism.
His remarks were in response to statements made by Njenga, who on December 31, 2024, declared his support for President Ruto, vowing to diminish Gachagua’s influence in the Mt Kenya region.
A day after showing his claws, DP Kindiki met with 143 representatives of small-scale traders, largely from the Mt Kenya region but operating in Nairobi’s Central Business District, including Wakulima, Gikomba, Muthurwa, Kariokor markets, Country Bus, Nyamakima, River Road, Railways, Pumwani Road Bus Station, and OTC.
The meeting with the traders was widely interpreted as Kindiki stepping into the role previously held by Gachagua as a representative of the common mwananchi. From the outset of his tenure, Gachagua had been vocal about the plight of small-scale traders, even clashing with Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja on several occasions over their relocation.
It was also at Wakulima Market where former DP Gachagua, in September 2024, first revealed a plot by Ruto allies to impeach him.
Sources who spoke to The Standard revealed that during yesterday’s meeting, the DP and the traders agreed on several interventions to be implemented by the National Government. Wakulima Market Chairman Nelson Githaiga told The Standard that the meeting brought together traders and key leaders from the city centre.
