After the obliteration of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, the focus now turns to Kithure Kindiki as the guiding light of President William Ruto’s ambitions of retaining or hiving off a significant chunk of the Mt Kenya vote bloc.
But as Kindiki settles into office as the deputy party leader and DP, comparisons with Gachagua continue to dominate public discourse as to whether the former Tharaka Nithi senator can galvanise, excite and win over a disgruntled constituency that has been built to believe that they hold the key to power.
The DP has recently told a group of confidants he believes in one Kenya and one of his dreams is for the disturbing ethnic divisions to be “subsumed by the nation”.
The President will surely rely on Kindiki’s capacity to make a compelling and logical case while appealing to the hearts and soul of Mt Kenya East and Mt Kenya West.
The Interior ministry buried Kindiki in mountains of secret paperwork and clandestine day and night operations, which did not help the public form a view of his style.
However, with the millstone well behind him, his character and public persona will be under serious national scrutiny.
A member of Kindiki’s inner circle tells the Star that the DP’s first 100 days will define what the public should expect of his leadership style, especially the causes he will decide to champion.
The other question is whether he has the techniques to turn his exemplary performance as the Interior Cabinet Secretary into a charm offensive to make him a man of the people.
Political observers say that recent key events have played in his favour, and could give him the much-needed head start to counter Gachagua’s influence.
Among them is the declaration by the sacked DP’s allies that they would not interfere or sideline him, and that they would defend him.
For the lot that opposed Gachagua’s removal, Kindiki presents “a great potential by virtue of being a heartbeat away from the ultimate power.”
Gachagua allies who include Senators John Methu (Nyandarua), Joe Nyutu (Murang’a), MPs Benjamin Gathiru (Embakasi Central), Gathoni Wamuchomba (Githunguri) and Jane Maina (Kirinyaga Woman Representative) have said they have no beef with the DP.
The leaders added they were ready to meet with Kindiki should he call them for any engagement on matters affecting the region. Insiders say that retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s show of support for the new order, as played out in Embu recently, has also come in handy.
It is understood that the DP, as part of his first steps, is taking some notes from Kenyatta, elders and senior politicians in the region. Kenyatta’s support, one of the country’s most powerful families, is hailed as crucial, as evidenced in Gachagua’s clamour to mend ties.
Even so, the ground is said to be charged, thus presenting a tough assignment for the new sheriff to shepherd the vote to Ruto’s basket.
The analysts hold that in solving the problems affecting the tea, coffee and milk sectors, he will have the potential of winning the much-needed political support.
Kindiki has started with the tea sector where he has said no one will stand in his way to actualise reforms.
“Tea is giving us foreign exchange. Tea is giving us jobs, especially in rural communities. Going forward, the government will continue to invest in this sub-sector,” he said, promising more investments in the production process.
Observers also point to stalled projects, mostly roads and markets, as yet another low-hanging fruit for the DP. Pundits say Kindiki’s leadership has been accepted across the region.
Maara MP Kareke Mbiuki told the Star that while it could be argued that the road ahead is long, patience remains key.
“By mid-next year, I am 100 per cent sure that he will have gained ground,” Mbiuki said.
“Engaging with the people takes time. Within the next six months, things will work differently.”
For the lawmaker, Kindiki would crack it “if he can recalibrate the coffee, tea and milk sectors.”
He added that the region’s main concern revolves around the agricultural sectors and stalled projects. Some leaders want the DP to prioritise connecting electricity to more households and vouch for incentives for business people.
“There is the need to relook into the productivity of the region and to address the necessities of life,” Prof Macharia Munene said.
The political commentator believes in championing interventions like a review of taxes, “the mindframe would change”.
“If they get to correct the things Kenyans feel are going wrong, and ensure money is circulating in people’s pockets, no one will complain,” the USIU don said.
Kindiki’s allies say that he has all it takes and is likeable owing to his humble demeanour.
Some quarters also say that he is not entirely new to politics, having served as Tharaka Nithi senator for two terms.
He rose through the ranks to be Majority leader and later as deputy Speaker of the Senate.
Before his nomination as Gachagua’s successor, more than 60 MPs identified Kindiki as their spokesman and bridge to Ruto.
The Njuri Ncheke elders, as well as the Kikuyu and Embu elders’ councils, also endorsed him.
Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura recently said that Kindiki was Ruto’s most preferred running mate in 2022 when, out of 31 UDA MPs, 23 voted in his favour, with eight voting for Gachagua.
Tigania East MP Mpuru Aburi said Kindiki would find it easy, as he has no fight with anyone, and is not divisive figure.
“He is very honest. He was born in church. His father is a reverend. He is also very empathetic, has been in every corner of the region and doesn’t scare anyone,” he said.
“He is a person who sits with people. The ground is not hostile to him. He needs to concentrate on the region, starting with Mt Kenya East, even as he looks at Kenyans needs across the country.”
For Munene, though, “Poor Kindiki has a lot of work ahead of him… being a Ruto appointee, this cannot pretty well. He was born in Tharaka Nithi, yes, but this doesn’t make him an automatic choice. He needs to do a little bit more.”
The USIU don adds that the DP
also needs to strike a balancing act
“lest he get into trouble and end up
like Gachagua who was accused of
being tribal.
