Kindiki dismisses claims of rift with Ruto, fires back at critics

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Sunday shrugged off claims of a rift between him and his boss President William Ruto.

News spaces were wrought with claims of a split after the DP missed events attended by President Ruto during the festive season, sparking speculations.

But in his second public appearance after the claims, the DP has denied the existence of a tiff.

Kindiki said he merely took a break for the festive season having not rested since his appointment in 2022.

“Since I was appointed Interior CS, I did not have even a day to rest. We had a lot to work on to protect our country from danger. I took a break...which I discussed with my boss,” he said. 

The DP assured Kenyans that all was well.

“The country is very stable…the government is coherent. We lost two years quarrelling amongst ourselves.”

Kindiki, who took over from Rigathi Gachagua after the latter was impeached, said he was not in competition with anyone.

“When you have quarrels in the same government, that government will not deliver. A kingdom divided cannot stand.”

The DP said together with the President, they had resolved to prioritise the work Kenyans expect of the government.

While dismissing the ‘propaganda’ that hit the airwaves when he was missing in action, Kindiki urged Kenyans to be concerned about what mattered most.

“The question I want Kenyans to ask is how far we have gone with roads, water and electricity projects and the stalled projects,” he said.

Kindiki also took a swipe at leaders, especially from Mt Kenya, who have been breeding opposition against the government of the day.

He accused the lot, ostensibly the Gachagua team, of inciting the masses with untruths and distortions.

“How can it be that a leader says that nothing (development) has happened yet it is not true?” Kindiki asked.

“Some work has been done, some other work is still pending and some other work is yet to be started. Let us not incite the masses without solution…leaders are to listen to the people and to think of how to solve those problems.”

While promising to deliver goodies to Kenyans as well as his Mt Kenya backyard, the DP urged the church to bring the country together, brushing off his naysayers.

“I am happy to be back to work… watch this space...all the things your leaders have asked for here will be dealt with…we know the expectations of all the people of Kenya,” he said.

“We can develop every part of Kenya. Leaders without vision are the ones who sell the idea that for one area to develop, another has to suffer.”

Kindiki urged leaders to stop brewing divisions among Kenyans saying people “cannot move forward when one part of the country is hurting”.

“As a leader, don’t tell us you are listening to the ground and doing nothing about it. Tell us what the people want and the way of doing it.

“You can’t be crying with the people, inciting them, making them angry yet have no solution. Listen to the needs and generate solutions,” he said.

The government was fully seized of its mandate and was on the right course to deliver its promises to Kenyans.

“We know what the job is. Some people are trying to teach us how to work…but we know people are disturbed at how we got here and hence want to sabotage,” Kindiki said.

The surgical approach he employed with leaders and the security apparatus to end banditry in Kerio Valley is the spirit he has carried to the current office.