Deputy President Kithure Kindiki addressing Meru leaders on February 18,2025.Deputy President Kithure Kindiki had a hectic week, chairing government meetings and hosting consultative forums at his Karen Residence.
Kindiki has intensified engagements with leaders from various counties at his residence in Nairobi, using the platform to hit out at his critics.
February 18
During the week, Kindiki hosted leaders from Meru County and declared that he would not be intimidated even as he told off those throwing jests at his boss William Ruto.
Kindiki has exuded confidence that President Ruto would still pick him as running mate when the elections are called in 2027.
Kindiki maintained that he wasn’t worried about how the events would play out, dismissing naysayers in the running mate question.
“When that exam comes, I will pass with flying colours,” Kindiki said.
“When we get there, 2027, I will be asked about what I did and I will explain myself,” he told a meeting of Meru leaders in Nairobi on Wednesday.
In an apparent swipe at his detractors, the DP said he was confident that he had lived up to the expectation of the office as designed.
“DP’s work is to assist the president and not fight the president…the latter is the work of the opposition. If you cannot (assist the president), quit and join the opposition,” he said.
Kindiki further dismissed narratives that he was there to buy time as Ruto prepares to pick another candidate for the next election.
“The issue of how long I will stay in this office is the least of my worries, the same for President Ruto. It doesn’t matter how long you stay but what you do while in office,” he quipped.
During the meeting, Kindiki said that for the first time in 16 years, Kenya will not import maize.
He said that the case is the same with sugar, which will not be imported this year after almost 22 years of doing it.
The Deputy President said the government interventions now have the country producing enough maize and sugar for consumption in the country.
Kindiki still in the same meeting with Meru leaders, said to leaders it is wrong and unconstitutional to tribalise development.
“We must develop every part of the country, including where we come from because everyone has a place they call home,” he stated.
“It is wrong to stand as a leader in a public office and tell everyone you are from this tribe and you are only pushing for the development of your region.”
On Tuesday, he received a briefing from representatives of the Meru Catholic Diocese on the preparations for the episcopal ordination of Monsignor Jackson Murugara, Co-adjutor Bishop-Elect, Catholic Diocese of Meru on March 19, 2025.
“The Government acknowledges and appreciates the role of the Catholic Church and the religious community in initiating development programmes in education, health and water, for the welfare and socio-economic growth of the people. We urge the church to continue praying for the unity, safety and stability of our Country,’’ he said.
On the same day, Kindiki received a courtesy call from UN Resident Coordinator Dr Stephen Jackson and other representatives of Kenya’s development partners in preparation for the development partners forum to be held in March 2025.
February 17
On Monday, Kindiki presided over the National and County Governments Health Summit to assess the implementation of Taifa Care.
He said the meeting generated consensus on administrative and policy interventions for efficient and sustainable Universal Health Coverage.
Kindiki said that the government will provide an additional Sh7.8 Billion to finance the cost of treating chronic diseases and provision of critical care services under the Taifa Care programme.
In the supplementary budget that will be tabled in the National Assembly this week, Sh3 billion will be added to the chronic and critical illnesses kitty and another Sh3 billion to the primary healthcare fund.
A further Sh1.8 billion will be injected to boost maternal healthcare services, he said.
He said that the successful implementation of the Universal Healthcare Coverage programme is on top of the Kenya Kwanza Administration’s economic transformation agenda.
“So far, 19.5 million Kenyans have registered and efforts are in place to ensure every citizen has a medical cover. We encourage all registered citizens to make their monthly contributions for Taifa Care’s sustainability,’’ he said.
On
Thursday, Kindiki chaired the Cabinet Committee on Finance, Infrastructure,
Land and Production Economy.
