DP's Diary: Kindiki on first diplomatic assignment

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki heightened government meetings in his second week in office including chairing a key Cabinet committee meeting.

During the week, the DP also demonstrated that he would be using the pulpit to endear the Kenya Kwanza government to the people.

Kindiki last 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.”

A day earlier, Kindiki was on his first international assignment when he represented President Ruto during the swearing-in of new Botswana president, Duma Gideon Boko, in Gaborone.

He also held bilateral talks with Duma that focused on cooperation in climate change, tourism, trade in coffee and tea, beef farming, development of horticulture and floriculture, mining, cooperative management and regional peace, security and stability.

“Currently, there are over 1,200 Kenyan citizens residing and working in Botswana and the government of Kenya appreciates the cordial treatment accorded to our professionals who have over time contributed to the setting up of governance and education structures in Botswana," Kindiki said.

During the week, Kindiki took over the official residence of the Deputy President from where he worked over the week, holding a series of both government and leadership sessions.

For the first time since assuming office, Kindiki this week took charge as he held his inaugural meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Governance, Social Sector and Public Administration.

The Tuesday meeting was attended by nine Cabinet Secretaries, Attorney General Dorcas Oduor and Secretary to the Cabinet, Nancy Wanjau.

On Wednesday, Kindiki held a meeting at his official residence in Karen with Labour and Social Protection CS, Alfred Mutua.

The CS briefed Kindiki on the ongoing recruitment and sensitisation programme that targets to secure 1 million jobs per year through the export of labour programme.

Kindiki said the government is setting up ICT Hubs in each of the 290 Constituencies to expose the youth to lucrative digital jobs and transform them economically.

“While part of the trained and skilled youth are continuously being deployed to accelerate Kenya’s industrialisation and manufacturing agenda, President William Ruto’s administration is negotiating for more job opportunities abroad under the export of labour programme," Kindiki said.

The DP said that Kenya is signing more bilateral labour agreements with other countries to open up opportunities for Kenyans in semi-skilled and professional fields.

On the same day, Kindiki held talks with leaders from Isiolo county, including with Governor Abdi Ibrahim Guyo and Woman Representative, Mumina Bonaya.

Kindiki said the meeting deliberated on the county’s priority development programmes and enhancement of security to provide a safe and conducive environment for economic growth.

“The government will operationalise all the pending gazetted administrative units and establish new ones in Isiolo county and across the country, to bring essential services closer to the people,’’ Kindiki said.

On matters politics, the DP started the week with his installation as the deputy party leader of the ruling UDA party on Monday at the Hustler Centre.

Kindiki took over the office from former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who was removed from office by impeachment last month.

“In recognition and appreciation of the pivotal role of political parties in governance and growth of democracy, with tremendous honour and respect, accepted to be Deputy Party Leader of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA)," Kindiki said.

The decision to replace Gachagua was made by the UDA National Executive Committee (NEC) in a meeting held at the party headquarters Monday morning.

Speaking upon assuming office as UDA's second-in-command, Kindiki said the party stands for the unity, oneness, and indivisibility of the country.

“I will be true and loyal to the ideals of our party and assist the party leader, President William Ruto, in the implementation of the party manifesto anchored on five key pillars," Kindiki said.