How Kindiki fell into traps that cornered Gachagua

Deputy president Prof Kithure Kindiki in Kiambaa constituency on April 13, 2025. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard] Deputy President Prof Kithure Kindiki has unwittingly fallen into the trap that ensnared his predecessor, confined him to the Mt Kenya region, and earned him a tag for concentrating most of his energies seeking validation in his home turf. In the last month, Kindiki has visited different Constituencies in Mt Kenya region 36 times, while he has only ventured out of his home ground in eight instances. In all his visits, Kindiki has been overseeing the economic empowerment activities, where he has been accused of giving tokens such as cash and foodstuffs, while in some areas, he has inspected the construction projects. One of the grounds used to impeach former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was that he had reduced the Office of the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya into a regional office due to his concentration in his region. Kindiki has also been on record, terming Gachagua a tribal king after he launched his Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) on May 15. He claimed that the former second in command had segmented the country into two formations, one that is pushing the tribal narrative and the other pushing for development. "My only problem with some of these people launching their parties is announcing that they are forming them for their tribes and their own beliefs. Let us have national parties," Prof Kindiki said. He added, "We cannot build our nation with retrogressive politics of dividing the people along whatever lines. For now, we are keeping those tribal chiefs pending, and the time for politics will come so that we can engage, and those with a convincing agenda will triumph," he said in Muranga on May 17. However, like Gachagua, Kindiki has also been hovering around Mt. Kenya as he seeks to decampaign Gachagua and return the voter-rich region in Ruto's fold, a move analysts observe will increase his chances of being picked as Ruto's running mate. In the 36 times Kindiki has visited Kiambu, Muranga, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Embu, Meru, Nakuru, Nyandarua, and Laikipia, while in the eight visits he made outside his region, he toured Narok, Isiolo, Kakamega, Kisii, and Busia Counties. In his tours in the Mt Kenya region, Kindiki has concentrated in Kiambu, where he has visited eight times, and Meru, where he has toured six times. On May 25, Kindiki joined Kiambu leaders led by the National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichungwa in Ndurarua village in Kabete for an event to empower small-scale traders' Saccos. Earlier on May 21, he had been in Limuru, where he commissioned the upgraded factory belonging to Limuru dairy. "The Government is supporting milk farmers to increase yield and get better incomes as part of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda," he said during the event. On the same day, Kindiki went to Kirenga Lari Constituency, where he presided over an empowerment activity for over 70 small-scale saccos. Two days before, Kindiki was in Gatundu South for yet another event dubbed Economic Empowerment for Small Scale Traders Saccos. Kindiki used the event to pronounce that the 2027 general election will be free, fair, and peaceful and that it would reflect the wishes of the electorate, even as he condemned Gachagua for his '2007 Christmas party remarks. "Utterances by leaders from any political persuasion prophesying violence and bloodshed are not only unpatriotic and insensitive but gravely dangerous. Never again shall our Country witness politically instigated violence before, during, and after the elections," he said. On May 11, Kindiki was in Ndumberi for his economic empowerment events, accompanied by Kiambu leaders such as Moses Kuria, among others. On May 2, Kindiki was in Limuru, and on May 4, he was in Gatundu North for his economic activities. He was in Meru County on May 23, where he inspected the ongoing works at the Kamachege ESP Market and other supporting facilities in Imenti South Constituency. Three days later, he visited Igembe Central Constituency, where he participated in the official launch of the Third Phase of the National human-wildlife conflict compensation program for 2024/2025, presided over by Ruto at the Meru National Park. On May 19, Kindiki was in Buuri Constituency where he inspected the ongoing construction of the Meru County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPS), while on May 16, he took part in the Imenti North Economic Empowerment Program. Accompanied by Ruto allies, Kindiki was in Mikumbine South Imenti on May 11, where he joined the congregation at the Mikumbune Methodist Church in South Imenti, for Sunday worship and thanksgiving. His visits in Nyeri saw Kindiki tour Kieni on May 23 for an empowerment activity, while in Isiolo, he inspected the 128-kilometre Kula Mawe-Modogashe section. Earlier on May 21, he had been in Kina in the same county where he commissioned the Sh27 million Rapsu Last Mile Connectivity Project for lighting 108 households, schools and health facilities. "Also, I oversaw the presentation of a Sh56 million cheque for compensation of affected families within Isiolo County for loss of property, health, or life through human-wildlife conflict situations," Kindiki said. On the same date, he inspected construction works at the Sh335 million Merti Solar-Diesel Hybridisation Power Plant in Isiolo North Constituency. In areas outside Mt Kenya region, Kindiki was in Kisii yesterday for an empowerment drive and was there on May 22 for the same activity. He was also in Ikolomani, Kakamega county, where he inspected construction works at the Kenya Gold Refinery at Isughu village. On May 29, the second in command was in Nyanturago, Nyaribari Chache, Kisii county, for an activity to support micro and small enterprises. In Busia, Kindiki visited Amagoro, where he joined the faithful for an interdenominational Sunday worship and service at Amagoro Primary School Grounds, Teso North Constituency, Busia County. Political activist Charles Njoroge said Kindiki has become what he has been preaching against, a tribal leader, but was quick to note that what he was doing was only adhering to Kenya's style of politics. "The political currency is the people and since Kindiki was not popular amongst his natives, he is only popularising himself using the economic activities in a strategy aimed at presenting himself as a formidable running mate in 2027," Njoroge noted. He however, said based on Kindiki's pattern, Gachagua was vindicated that politics are local and one must galvanise their community. "Kindiki is using Gachagua's style book, remember he too was picked by Ruto after serving for only one term, and he had to endear himself to the masses," he noted.

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