Kindiki to opposition: Defeating Ruto in 2027 will not be easy

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has told off the opposition, insisting that unseating President William Ruto in 2027 will be a tough task.

Speaking on Thursday when he hosted leaders and grassroots representatives from Baringo at the Official Residence in Karen, Nairobi, Kindiki said some leaders eyeing the presidency underestimate the challenge ahead, displaying what he termed as pride and arrogance.

“There are others who want to compete with Ruto in 2027. If you see them, they talk with pride, with a lot of arrogance. They think it will be easy for them,” Kindiki said.

He criticised the ‘Ruto must go’ and ‘Kasongo’ rhetoric among Ruto’s rivals, saying that it means they do know who they are dealing with.

“I sometimes watch and wonder. It’s Ruto must go, other times it’s Kasongo. You look and just this person doesn't know William Ruto and hasn't seen him and if he has, he saw him at night.”

Kindiki added that the President has not yet started his campaign.

He said Ruto has to work for the people of Kenya first and he will start campaigning at the right time.

“My friends, William Ruto hasn't roared his campaign car. He hasn't started, he has to work first, he hasn't gotten there.”

Kindiki further assured aspirants seeking the ruling United Democratic Alliance’s ticket in the coming by-elections of free and fair nominations.

He said none of the party’s leaders will interfere with the people’s choices calling on the contestants to also consider consensus to pick the party’s flagbearers.

The Deputy President said the party will not take chances in the quest to retain the Baringo Senate seat and others in by-elections slated for next November.

“We can’t afford useless tricks that might cost us the seat. We must find a fair and acceptable way to pick one of the UDA candidates for the by-election. The President, the Deputy President, MPs and all the elected leaders will not interfere with the people’s choices. All of us will respect who the voters will choose. We don’t have any preferences,” he said.

He said the party will fully back the winner of the party’s primaries calling on the losers to be ready to throw their weight behind them.

“We will look into the best way to pick the best. If the contestants cannot agree on one person, we will hold free and fair nominations and back the winner. The winner will be supported by all the contestants. If you openly back the winner, we will hold your hand and find a place for you somewhere else,” Kindiki noted.