'We're masters of politics', Kindiki dismisses ODM push for DP seat

The Deputy President said he was a master of politics and would not engage carelessly. He spoke in Kirinyaga, where Mt. Kenya leaders loyal to the broad-based government maintained that his seat was not up for grabs.

Speaking after an impromptu inspection of the Maragwa-Ichagaki-Gamburi road that stalled in 2020, the Deputy President, who was accompanied by local leaders allied to the broad-based government, said he was not shaken by recent developments that have seen ODM party leader Dr. Oburu Oginga say they are gunning for his seat in power negotiations with UDA.

“Do not be unsettled by small things you hear here and there. We are masters of politics and we do not speak carelessly, we speak at the right time," Kithure Kindiki, Deputy President, stated.

However, the local leaders who had accompanied him were not as gracious, saying the country’s number two political position was not for the taking during power talks.

“We hold the number two position. Do you want it taken away? Has ODM not just arrived?" Mary Wathera, MP for Maragua, stated.

The leaders insisted that both the presidency and deputy presidency already have substantive holders and are not subject to political bargaining.

In Kericho County, Kenya Kwanza leaders led by Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya accused the opposition of undermining government development efforts.

“We want to tell those opposing the two-term agenda that the nation cannot be driven by empty rhetoric. They are not talking about what Ruto has done," Erick Mutai, Kericho Governor, stated.

“We want issue-based politics focused on uplifting ordinary Kenyans," Soipan Tuya, Defence Cabinet Secretary, stated.

In Isiolo County, during campaigns for the Isiolo South by-election, leaders allied to the ruling coalition urged the opposition to give the government space to deliver on its agenda.

They criticized opposition figures, accusing them of politicizing even sensitive issues such as drought.

“We are telling the opposition they have no agenda. Let the government do its work," Farouk Kibet, Presidential Aide, stated.

The leaders also took aim at former President Uhuru Kenyatta, urging him to emulate other retired heads of state and refrain from active political engagement.

“Please, Uhuru Kenyatta, behave like other retired presidents and allow President Ruto to do his work," John Bwire, MP for Taveta, stated.