DP Kindiki blasts Gachagua, Kalonzo, asks Mt Kenya to ignore them
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki hosts a consultative forum with Meru leaders on priority development projects and implementation of Government programmes at his official residence in Karen, Nairobi county.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Tuesday February 18 took a swipe at his predecessors Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, saying they are criticising the government yet have nothing to show for their time in office.
Prof Kindiki said despite having been the principal assistant to “a very facilitative President Mwai Kibaki”, there were no projects Mr Kalonzo would pinpoint as having initiated.
“What can he show for his time? My predecessor (Gachagua) was here for two years. His biggest achievement was dividing the people of Kenya and advocating for tribalism,” he said.
The DP spoke when he held a development forum with a delegation of leaders from Meru County at his Karen residence.
He told the delegation that Mr Gachagua and Mr Musyoka who had been the country's second-in-command will account for what they did and the development they influenced for the people of Meru.
“We will all account for the time we have been in the office at the right time. You will ask what I did in the two and half years I was here and I know I will pass with flying colours,” the DP said.
He asked the populous Mt Kenya region, which Mr Gachagua has been rallying behind him following his impeachment in October 2024, not to be duped.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki (right) and his predecessor Rigathi Gachagua.
“Some are telling us to leave this government and wait for another government in 2027 that will be led by Kalonzo and (Roots party leader George) Wajackoyah and others. That is fine because these are opposition leaders and can say anything. But when Kalonzo comes to Meru County and asks for your support, ask him what he did in Meru when he was vice president for five years. I will give you my track record for two and a half years. He must tell us his of five years,” Prof Kindiki said.
The second-in-command also took issue with online users who were making fun of President William Ruto after he enumerated how his administration planned to complete the construction of the Isiolo-Mandera road project, which is part of the Lamu Port South Sudan Ethiopia Transport (Lapsset) Corridor.
During his recent tour of Northern Kenya, the President mentioned towns the Mandera project would pass through, including Rhamu, Elwak, Kobo, Kotulo, Tarban, Wajir, Samatar, Modogashe, through Isiolo, words that have been used to poke fun at him online.
“Some Kenyans are making fun of the huge road project we are constructing between Isiolo and Mandera. This is a massive project that will be completed in the next two and half years. You can make fun of it to be applauded online but we are focused because it will be the same road we will be using to explain to the people there what have done for them. We already have 11 contractors on site and soon that part of the country will be opened up for economic transformation,” Prof Kindiki said.
The DP promised that the government would revive all stalled projects in Meru and in all parts of the country, adding that most of the projects stalled during the first term of President Kenyatta’s tenure.
He also promised to inspect projects before they are launched by President Ruto to ensure compliance and completion.
“I will be leading inspection of government projects before they are launched or commissioned. We must guard against ridicule directed at the President for projects launched and are not commenced or completed. Before the President is engaged, I'll make sure we have end-to-end financing to avoid embarrassing the President,” said Prof Kindiki.
At least Sh36 billion was available for the last-mile electricity connectivity countrywide while another Sh12 billion had been allocated.
There was also money for roads, markets, County Aggregation and Industrial Parks, the DP said.
Prof Kindiki said he had taken charge in leading inspection of government projects before they are launched or commissioned, noting that “we must guard against ridicule directed at the President for projects launched and are not commenced or completed.”
The DP Kindiki warned his political opponents especially in Mt Kenya region against underestimating his abilities insisting that he is no pushover, saying political rivals were constantly trying to "teach me my work yet I know my job description."
"Some people are trying to teach me how to do my work but I cannot be the opposition in government. I understand my duty and I will pass my exam with flying colours," DP Kindiki said.
On Miraa prices that were recently increased, the DP said it was due to President Ruto’s interventions. He said the government was working to streamline dairy, tea, coffee, macadamia, cotton and other critical sectors of the agricultural value chain to the benefit of farmers.
He told off critics whom he said were lecturing him on his choice to focus on the country instead of the region he comes from.
"There are people who think we are afraid of talking about where we come from. We do not have to isolate other parts of Kenya to develop out home.
The late former President Mwai Kibaki did a lot for his region without announcing where he comes from," the DP said.
He added "I won't go around the country announcing how I love the mountain region. Such acts would disrupt the peaceful coexistence of Kenyans."
Concerning the perennial Meru political divisions, the DP had to warn the political rivals to maintain discipline at the meeting.
"This meeting is meant to discuss the development agenda and not party or regional politics. Once you are outside the gate, you can continue with your political fights," DP Kindiki advised.
For the first time, the meeting brought together Governor Kawira Mwangaza, her deputy Isaac Mutuma and all elected leaders from the county.