Kindiki is respectful, hardworking and I’m pleased to have him as DP – Ruto

President William Ruto has heaped praise on his Deputy, Kithure Kindiki, for being hardworking and steadfast in pursuit of national development and unity of the nation.

Speaking in Gatunga, Tharaka Nithi County, Ruto said Kindiki is a focused, respectful and development-minded leader who has played a great role in faster realisation of the government's agenda.

"I'm grateful you allowed Prof Kindiki to come work with me in serving the nation. He is respectful, hardworking, and orderly," Ruto said.

“The Deputy President is not a DP of Tharaka Nithi nor Mt Kenya nor some section of this country. He is a Deputy of the whole country, he is assisting me serve all Kenyans," he said.

Ruto said the DP job is not given to cheap talk and divisive rhetoric but to someone who is unifying and visionary.

He said with Kindiki, his work has become easier even as he steers Kenya to prosperity.

"Our mission is to serve all Kenyans and unite all communities. We are getting rid of tribal animosity and hatred for the good of the nation. With a DP like Prof Kindiki, my work as President has been made easier and delivery of our agenda will be faster," The President added.

On his part, Kindiki said he is honoured by the President's decision to pick him as his principal assistant, promising to work harder to ensure government's agenda is hastily implemented.

He reiterated that his role is assisting the President in ensuring all projects and programmes targeting improving the lives of Kenyans.

"I have been honoured by the President's decision to pick me as his Deputy. I will make sure the work he has assigned me is delivered and the nation’s development agenda is achieved as scheduled," the DP said.

"I'll be keenly following up on presidential directives across the country, and all development projects are being implemented as planned. As I do that, I'll keep a close eye on all the development projects here at home in Tharaka and Mt Kenya region."

Kindiki further thanked the President for being a true friend to the people of Tharaka and Mt Kenya region.

"The friendship between the President and the people of Tharaka Nithi, Meru and Mt Kenya dates many years back. It didn’t start yesterday. It started when the President was Minister, then Deputy President and now President. It will exist for a long time," he said.

President Ruto took his development tour of Mt Kenya to Tharaka Nithi, the home of Kindiki.

During the tour, he inspected the government-funded Gatunga Modern Market, which is near completion.

The Market will provide a decent business environment for small-scale traders and mama mboga.

Earlier, he opened Tharaka Nithi University Tuition Complex.