Deputy President Kithure Kindiki /FILE
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki had a busy week, marking his first political visit to the Mount Kenya region since his inauguration.
In what was seen as a test of political waters in Mount Kenya ahead of President William Ruto’s tour, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki visited Embu and Nyeri counties.
Last Friday, while in Nyeri, Kindiki took a swipe at his predecessor, Rigathi Gachagua, urging him to set aside politics for the sake of the region’s development.
Kindiki, the first high-ranking government official to visit Gachagua’s home county since the latter’s impeachment, called on the former DP to cease political activity.
Speaking while inspecting the upgrading of the Endarasha-Watuka road to bitumen standards and launching a last-mile electricity connectivity project under REREC in Kieni Constituency, Kindiki emphasized the government's focus on service delivery.
"Kwa sasa hivi serikali inajihusisha kwa mambo ya kutatua mashida ya Wakenya… hatuna wakati wa ugomvi, vita kwa sasa," he said. (Right now, the government is focused on solving Kenyans’ problems... we have no time for disputes or conflicts.)
Kindiki’s visit, which was viewed as preparation for President Ruto’s imminent return to Nyeri, came with pledges of development projects worth Sh17 billion in road infrastructure and Sh8.7 billion for last-mile electricity connections in the Mount Kenya region.
"Wakati wa siasa ukifika si tutapiga siasa… there’s no point in engaging in politics right now because if we do, wananchi will suffer," he stated. (When the time for politics comes, we will engage in politics. but for now, there’s no need because the people will suffer.)
On Saturday, Kindiki toured Embu County, where he attended a Boda Boda Summit.
Ditching his official convoy, he opted to ride on a boda boda, donning a helmet as per traffic safety regulations for riders and passengers.
Kindiki was accompanied by Senior Adviser to the Government's Council of Economic Advisers Moses Kuria and other key leaders.
Earlier, he attended the 120th anniversary celebrations of Jamhuri High School.
On Tuesday, Kindiki joined President Ruto for a tour of the North Eastern region, beginning with Mandera and proceeding to Wajir on Wednesday.
Speaking in Mandera, Kindiki reaffirmed his commitment, alongside other leaders, to supporting President Ruto’s efforts to unite the country.
"Your Excellency, together with all the people you have entrusted with running the government, we fully support your quest to unite our country. We stand for one Kenya, the unity of its people, and equal development across all regions. That is our clarion call, and we are solidly behind you," he said.
On Monday, Kindiki held a consultative forum with leaders from Samburu County, urging critics of the Kenya Kwanza administration to be fair to President Ruto.
He insisted that Ruto should be given time to fulfill his campaign promises, as his performance cannot be fairly assessed within just two years.
"I urge our critics to be fair to President William Ruto. All the promises he made will be fulfilled. Just give him time. He has a five-year term. You can’t judge his performance for a five-year term in just two years—that’s unfair," Kindiki said.
On Tuesday night, Kindiki joined President Ruto in a meeting with Mandera leaders, wearing a stylish Kanzu.
During the consultative meeting, leaders discussed priority development projects and service delivery for the region.
On Wednesday, Kindiki accompanied Ruto to Wajir County, where they launched several projects, including an affordable housing initiative.
The Affordable Housing Project, one of the Kenya Kwanza Administration’s flagship programmes, aims to provide 250,000 decent and affordable homes annually for Kenyans.
Kindiki noted that the proposed Wajir Township Affordable Housing Project is one of many such initiatives across the country.
"This project will cost over Sh500 million upon completion," he said.
Kindiki joined Ruto in inspecting the project before commissioning the Wajir County Museum and the Wajir Satellite Blood Transfusion Centre at the Wajir County Referral and Teaching Hospital.
