Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has opted to use the pulpit to endear
the Kenya Kwanza government to the people, nearly two weeks after assuming
office.
When he was sworn in on October 31, 2024, his boss President William Ruto said he hoped Kindiki would help him amplify government communication.
Ruto said over the last two years, he had become a lonely voice in government, being forced to government agenda and communicate programmes.
“My dear Prof Kindiki, I need your voice, I need your intellect to help me and members of the cabinet to profile the things we are doing and to speak to the things we are doing,’’ Ruto said.
“I have almost become a lonely boy in the Executive, especially in the presidency. Speaking about our projects and programs, and elaborating on what we are doing.”
Kindiki’s latest moves have suggested that he has stepped out to help the president articulate government issues borrowing heavily from Ruto’s church playbook.
Kindiki on Sunday attended a church service in Taita Taveta, hundreds of kilometres away from Kakamega County where his boss worshipped.
On his first day at the pulpit after assuming office, Kindiki set the tone of his Sundays, speaking elaborately about the progress of the country’s economy and offering hope.
Speaking at Jesus Palace of Praise Church, Mwatate, the DP noted that in the recent past, the Kenyan shilling was weak against the US dollar.
“One dollar was equal to Sh165. Today our shilling is strong as a dollar is equal to Sh127,” he said.
“When our shilling is strong, it shows that our economy is doing better because lower-class citizens can now manage their livelihoods.”
On his first Sunday service, Kindiki spoke about the unity of Kenyans and patience as the government works to better their lives.
“The government is resolving the economic challenges and improving the livelihoods of our people by boosting their household incomes. We thank the Kenyan citizens for their patience,” he said.
Church services are seen as the perfect stop for politicians and government officials to articulate national issues, but also serve as a good ground for political rhetoric.
Kindiki’s Sunday service is seen through the prism of the government’s concerted efforts to fend off public anger through timely and effective messaging across the country.
Under his role, the DP is expected to intensify countrywide visits, attending church services and other public events as he becomes the face of the government’s messaging.
Gachagua, Kindiki’s predecessor, and President Ruto had heightened church services before and after the 2022 polls saying they owed the historic victory to God.
However, while Gachagua and Ruto traversed the country over the last two years holding thanks-giving church services, Kindiki rarely attended most of the sessions with the duo.
In 2023, Kindiki attended a few church services with some Kenya Kwanza leaders only on his Mount Kenya turf and seldom ventured for service outside the region.
Of those he attended, most were low-key and without any live stream as happened on Sunday in Mwatate.
As Interior Cabinet Secretary then, Kindiki instead spent a lot of time traversing parts of the country hit by bandits and Alshabaab including the North Rift and Northern Kenya.
Born of a bishop in the Kenya Methodist faith, Kindiki is not new to the church.
On May 7, 2023, Kindiki was at St. Joseph Benedict Cottolengo Catholic Church in Mwanganthia Ward, Imenti Central Constituency, Meru County to commemorate the Parish's Patron Saint feast and Family Day.
“Christians from the Parish's 12 prayer centres (outstations) in attendance. Fr. John Ntoiti, the Parish Priest, presiding assisted by Fr. Maurice,’’ Kindiki wrote on his official X page.
On June 4, 2023, joined the faithful at the Kenya Assemblies of God (KAG) in Sagana Town, Kirinyaga County.
On June 11, 2023, Kindiki was in Tharaka Nithi for a church service at the Methodist Church of Kenya Mariamanthi.
On June 18, 2023, he was in Murang’a County for a church service.
On July 16, 2023, Kindiki joined worshippers at Kaanwa Catholic Church, Chuka Igambang'ombe Constituency, Tharaka Nithi County for Thanksgiving and Sunday Mass.
On July 31, 2023, Kindiki attended a church service at Matiru Catholic Church in Ruguru
On August 13, 2023, Kindiki joined other leaders and other worshippers at Abundant New Life Church for a Sunday service.
On August 13, 2023, Kindiki attended Sunday Worship and Thanksgiving at Abundant New Life Church, Nyeri Town, Nyeri County.
