When Deputy President Kithure Kindiki took an oath of office on November 1, 2024, naysayers sneered, they said he lacked stamina and political grasp coming from a legal background.
Nonetheless, the law Professor kept his head up, swore to serve the country and help President Ruto to deliver his campaign pledges.
As political rivals ridiculed him, Kindiki’s response remained subtle as he religiously picked assignments from his boss, Ruto including representing him locally and internationally.
His first anniversary in office (November 1, 2025) passed unnoticed as his political rivals dared him to warm up for a by-election at his backyard, Mbeere.
The Mbeere North by-elections were scheduled for November 27, 2025 following appointment of area MP Geoffrey Ruku as Cabinet Secretary for public service.
It was in the contest that United Democratic Alliance fielded Leo Wamuthende to face off with Democratic Party’s Newton Karish who was backed by Rigathi Gachagua.
This was a do or die duel pitting Gachagua and Kindiki as they both swore to emerge victorious as they crisscrossed the constituency seeking to win the electorate.
Days after the by-elections, Kindiki camped in Mbeere a region that Gachagua assumed he had already bagged as he chidded off the Deputy President using all nicknames including Masaprano.
Instead, Kindiki reminded him of the Biblical David and Goliath contest where a simple sling slayed a giant, in this context, Gachagua was seen as a political heavyweight.
But in an unexpected twist UDA’s Leo Wamuthende beat Newton Karish hands down in the hotly contested by-elections.
Even so, Karish has challenged the outcome in court, this redeemed Kindiki’s political face in the region, had he lost…he would have become a political punching bag.
And going into the 2027 general elections, analysts now say Kindiki has a secret weapon that Gachagua lacked.
“Kindiki knows how to be the Deputy President, he is humble and calculative,” political analyst Phillip Chebunet said
Adding, “Before, President lacked person with such qualities, Kindiki understands his boss success is his and he has played well so far,”
The analyst said by all indications, President Ruto will need Kindiki more as the face of Mt Kenya and to balance his political equation.
His Predecessor, Gachagua’s weakness, played out in 2024 when he called for a separate press conference in Mombasa after the President had addressed the nation after the historic parliament invasion.
Until his impeachment, those close to the power started sidelining him before being thrown under the bus paving way for elevation of Kithure Kindiki.
