Kindiki leaves for Mozambique to attend Daniel Chapo’s inauguration

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has left the country for Mozambique to attend the inauguration of President-elect Daniel Francisco Chapo.

Kindiki left the country on Wednesday morning to represent the country in Mozambique.

Daniel Chapo will be sworn in on Wednesday.

The 48-year-old won with 65% of votes but opposition leaders, electoral observers and the public at large said the poll was doctored.

The outcome sparked a wave of demonstrations, some peaceful but others violent, leading to chaos, including killings and vandalism.

Since the October election, waves of protests have left more than 270 people including protesters, children and members of the security forces dead, according to rights groups.

Chapo's biggest rival Venâncio Mondlane briefly went into exile in South Africa, claiming that he had survived an assassination attempt.

He returned from self-imposed exile, last week. 

Ahead of becoming the ruling Frelimo party's presidential candidate, Chapo had been a radio and television host, a legal notary, a university lecturer and a provincial governor before rising to the post of general secretary in Frelimo.

Ahead of his departure, the DP met Somalia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Ahmed Moalim at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport’s VIP area.

Kindiki said they held discussions on various key issues affecting Kenya and Somalia.

“Departure for Maputo, to represent Kenya at the inauguration of President-Elect Daniel Francisco Chapo, Republic of Mozambique. At the airport, held discussions with Somalia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi who was on transit from Cairo, Egypt to Somalia,” he said.

This is the second time Kindiki is leaving the country to attend an inauguration as Deputy President. It is also his second international trip as the country’s second in command.

While he served as Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary for two years, Kindiki is the only member of the Cabinet who never travelled abroad.

Much of his focus was on the country as he traversed the country sometimes covering up to eight counties a day.