Kithure Kindiki: What ANC, Ford Kenya must deliver to earn a share in Ruto government

Should Deputy President William Ruto win the August 9 elections, ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi and Ford Kenya’s Moses Wetang’ula must deliver 70 per cent of Western region’s vote to qualify for a third of government.

Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki explained that this was expressly stated in the coalition agreement between ANC, Ford Kenya and United Democratic Alliance, which he drafted.

He defended the agreement saying the founding parties agreed to work hard towards victory in the elections.

Prof Kindiki confirmed that the coalition agreement documents submitted to the Registrar of Political Parties (RPP) were meant to ensure a mechanism of sharing power equitably based on the partners' contribution towards victory.

“Our guiding principle in Kenya Kwanza Alliance is to ensure the leaders given various roles in coming government perform their work unhindered, that is why we want each of the constituent parties to work hard towards our victory,” he said.

Speaking during an interview on a local TV station on Tuesday night, Prof Kindiki said the agreement was consensual and if any party was under duress they would not have signed.

Legal requirements

The senator revealed that he was filing more agreements and documents with the RPP to meet all legal requirements.

He at the same time said he may reconsider the decision to take sabbatical leave from politics after the General Election if asked to do so by UDA party contrary to his earlier assertion that he was not available.

Kindiki revealed that in February he intended to declare his bid for Tharaka Nithi governor having promised the people that he would only serve for two terms as senator but he was prevailed upon by DP Ruto to shelve the ambitions and serve UDA at the national level. The senator said he did not boycott the announcement of UDA presidential running mate as alleged.

He said there was miscommunication over timing since he had thought it would happen after attending church service on Sunday.

“While attending church service I got text messages from my colleagues who were supporting me asking about my whereabouts and I told them I was in church and sought permission from my party leader to proceed with that event in my absence,” said Kindiki during the interview on Citizen TV.

He clarified that at no time was he asked to step down for Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua. The senator said they were only asked to meet and discuss how best to handle the issue of running mate and when the two of them failed to reach consensus, they left it upon Dr Ruto to make the final decision.

Kindiki promised to campaign for Dr Ruto and Mr Gachagua to be elected as President and Deputy President since he believes they are the best team to revive the country’s economy through the bottom-up economic model.

He said although he respects Azimio la Umoja One Kenya presidential candidate Raila Odinga and his running mate Martha Karua he has never supported them and does not believe they stand any chance of being elected.

“I congratulated Rigathi Gachagua for having been chosen by our party leader Deputy President William Ruto in recognition that there were several parameters employed by our captain to identify his running mate and not only the opinion polls favouring me,” said Prof Kindiki.

The senator defended the method used by UDA saying it was fair and rigorous and asked his supporters to rally behind Dr Ruto and Mr Gachagua to win the elections.

Kindiki had been categorical that he would not be available for any appointive position after consulting his family. He said he has spent 12 years of his professional life working as an advocate and a consultant for international organisations before venturing into politics.