Rejuvenated by his decisive victory
in the Mbeere North by-election, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has
intensified his campaign to retain his slot in 2027, placing himself firmly at
the centre of President William Ruto’s “two-term” message.
Addressing residents, Kindiki has openly sought affirmation that the next administration includes him at the top.
“So when you say President Ruto’s two terms, is it also two terms for me?” he asked, signalling a more assertive push for continuity.
Leaders from Mt Kenya East, emboldened by the by-election outcome, have also declared Kindiki the region’s political custodian.
Embu Senator Alexander Mundigi on Sunday said former DP Rigathi Gachagua should now accept Kindiki as the undisputed Mt Kenya kingpin.
“All the 10 Mt Kenya counties are behind Kithure Kindiki. He is a man who has enough education and a man who can fight for people,” Mundigi said.
Chinga MCA Thuku Kiruga said the current political dispensation has put Mt Kenya behind the DP.
“Those of us who believe in development have backed him [Kindiki] and we will continue supporting him to continue leading us even in the next government. And even ahead, that is the person we will support,” Thuku said.
He said the imaginary war between Mt Kenya East and West should cease as it only paints those from the West as selfish.
Thuku said historically, Mt Kenya leaders have mainly come from the West and have always enjoyed support from the East.
“The Embu, Meru, Tharaka and Mbeere have always supported us. What do you show by undermining a leader from their region? That they are a problem and then we start branding ourselves Mt Kenya West?” he asked.
Kindiki led and won the UDA charge against the United opposition in Mbeere North, which was led by predecessor, Rigathi Gachagua.
While the by-election was locally seen as a referendum of who is the king of the mountain between Kindiki and Gachagua, it also had an implication of the DP’s value in jostling to retain the position in 2027.
In the wider scheme of things, Kindiki’s win in Mbeere North and CS Musalia Mudavadi’s delivery of Malava have reshaped the bargaining power for the second-in-command post, as broad-based alignments shift ahead of 2027.
ODM, which has committed to backing Kenya Kwanza administration up to 2027, has said it won’t take anything less than DP slot if it is to support President William Ruto’s re-election.
And with the President seemingly having lost a huge chunk of Mt Kenya region support, his bid to win over Western could see the elevation of Mudavadi, political commentators say.
Former Cabinet Minister Kipruto Kirwa President Ruto faces a Catch-22 in picking his 2027 running mate.
“If he retains Kindiki, he will have lost two major constituencies — Western Kenya and Nyanza. Oburu Odinga said clearly that they are taking nothing other than DP.
“For Western, the appetite for a running mate is higher than in the previous elections, and should he pick someone from Luo Nyanza, he will definitely lose Central completely, including the little votes he would have gotten,” Kirwa opines.
However, reacting to the demand, a section Mt Kenya East MPs warned of consequences if Kindiki is dropped.
Buuri MP Mugambi Rindikiri said Kindiki should continue being DP beyond 2027, warning that the community will make political changes if this promise is not kept.
“In 2027, the person who should be Deputy President is Kindiki. And if that doesn’t happen, we will make our own plans. Those who are now setting their conditions should first tell us how they contributed to forming this government. This time round, it’s Kindiki or Kindiki. I say this as the chairperson of the Meru MPs,” Rindikiri said.
Reacting to the hostility against the government in the mountain, Mudavadi has also said the region risks losing the second most powerful seat.
