Residents of Irunduni, home of Prof Kithure Kindiki, celebrate his pick as DP
By David Muchui, George Munene and Stephen Munyiri
Celebration rocked Irunduni village in Tharaka-Nithi County following the nomination and approval of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki as the Deputy President.
Overjoyed neighbours flocked Prof Kindiki's home and broke into song and dance, while thanking president William Ruto for his choice.
Mukothima MCA Nyaga Marengo said the nomination of CS Kindiki was historic for the community.
"We thank the president for fulfilling his promise to work closely with Prof Kindiki. The nomination to the position of deputy president is a sign of his confidence in his performance. It is unfortunate that Rigathi Gachagua failed to work well with the president," Mr Marengo said.
North Imenti MP Rahim Dawood praised Prof Kindiki as a hard-working and dedicated leader.
"This appointment is a reflection of unwavering dedication, exemplary leadership, and trust that the nation has placed in your abilities," Mr Dawood said.
Mixed reception
Meanwhile, the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua and his replacement with Prof Kindiki was received with mixed reactions in the Mt Kenya region.
Despite the impeachment of the DP, there was unusual calm in Mr Gachagua's home area of Mathira where he has a huge following, having been MP from 2017 to 2022 before rising to become second in command.
In Nyeri, The New Democrats (TND) party leader Thuo Mathenge asked the president not to isolate the Gikuyu community in his economic plans now that Mr Gachagua is out, adding that he had no issue with the president’s new appointee.
“We, however, cry for our brother Rigathi Gachagua. We condole with his family for his illness as we ask the president to provide enough security for him because we don’t want anything bad to happen to him,” he said.
But David Nderitu, a resident of Nyeri Town, told Nation.Africa that he was dissatisfied with the impeachment process because it appeared to be a planned plot.
Wahome Marangi, a businessman in Nanyuki, reckons the nomination of Prof Kindiki will disturb the unity of the mountain.
“We love Prof Kindiki as our son who is not tainted by corruption. If he would allow me to advise him, I would tell him to decline taking up the Deputy President position and stick to his ministerial docket to avoid soiling his clean name,” said Mr Marangi.
