Deputy President Kindiki Kithure has hit back at politicians who have been mocking his soft-spoken voice, declaring himself a force to be reckoned with in a viral video that has set social media ablaze.
Speaking in Thika during an economic empowerment forum, Kindiki fiercely dismissed the banter.
"Before you introduce me as someone who doesn't have bass. Who doesn't have bass? Do I look like someone without bass? It's this kind of disrespect that's troubling people," he said, prompting laughter from the crowd.
The DP went further, asserting his capability to handle political criticism by referencing his tough track record in security matters.
"Sasa mimi mtu nimepigana na Al-Shabaab, nimepigana na bandits, nitashindwa na watu wa siasa? Mimi ni noma si noma? Mimi ni fire si fire?" the Deputy President said.
Kindiki's fiery comeback follows a series of public jabs from prominent political figures who have repeatedly mocked his high-pitched voice.
The criticism has been building momentum across various platforms and public forums.
Former Attorney General Justin Muturi recently took aim at the DP during a public gathering, making exaggerated "soprano sounds" while imitating Kindiki's voice. Muturi's comments were particularly pointed as he discussed housing funds allocation.
"Io pesa ya housing, President William Ruto anapatia ule jamaa wa kuongea (soprano sounds) ati for empowerment. Kuongea ivo pia inaleta taabu. Anapatia uyo kijana pesa ya housing alafu anaranda randa everywhere akisema ni ya empowerment," Justin Muturi said.
Before this, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna had previously criticized the DP's voice during the anti-finance bill protests in 2024, speaking on the renowned Mic Cheque podcast.
"Uyo Kindiki mkikutana na yeye mwanamme to mwanamme unafikiri anaweza ongea ivo. Amejificha nyuma ya polisi na io soprano yake akisema, 'now see who will come to the road tomorrow.'Iyo bravado sijui yeye hutoa wapi," Edwin Sifuna said last year.
The Deputy President's defiant response draws heavily on his previous role as Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, where he spearheaded major security operations.
Boasting of his achievements, Kindiki went on to detail how he extensively acted to combat terrorism and banditry, particularly in operations against Al-Shabaab militants and armed bandits in various parts of the country.
But now, the viral video has triggered a wave of reactions from Kenyans online, with mixed responses flooding social media platforms.
Some users questioned the substance behind his rhetoric, with one Instagram user asking, "So much noise Mr. DP. Which challenges are you actually currently addressing in this country?"
Others took a lighter approach, with one user joking about his voice by referencing "Sofia the first," adding to the ongoing conversation about the DP's vocal characteristics that are quickly a recurring theme in political discourse.
