Kindiki's tough task of digging out Gachagua's deep roots in Mt Kenya

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki addresses participants during women empowerment programme at Scott Christian University in Machakos town, on June 6, 2025. [John Muia, Standard] 

By picking Prof Kithure Kindiki as his deputy, President William Ruto was sending a conciliatory symbolic gesture to placate the Mt Kenya region following the ejection from government of their son, the impeached DP Ragathi Gachagua.

It was also strategic, for Kindiki who, too, comes from the region, fitted the criteria of a loyal foot soldier who could win the confidence and support of the locals in disrupting, containing and rolling back the influence of the aggrieved, and vengeful former DP.