Governor Njuki: Kindiki must be retained as running mate in 2027

Tharaka-Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki has declared that Mt Kenya will not be split by the emerging political contest over the Deputy President position, saying the region must unite behind Prof Kithure Kindiki as President William Ruto’s running mate in the 2027 General Election.

Speaking at Cheera market in Chuka/Igambangombe Constituency, Governor Njuki said Mt Kenya had remained united since independence despite successive presidents coming from the region, noting that the community supported Kenya’s first President Jomo Kenyatta, third President Mwai Kibaki and fourth President Uhuru Kenyatta, all from Mt Kenya West.

He said the region should now rally behind Prof Kindiki, who hails from Tharaka-Nithi County in Mt Kenya East, and warned that attempts to create divisions between Mt Kenya East and Mt Kenya West would not succeed.

“Mt Kenya will not be split. We will unite in support of Prof. Kindiki because our region has remained united since 1963 and he has delivered,” Njuki said.

The Governor said the people of Tharaka-Nithi and the wider Mt Kenya East had been too silent while leaders from other regions were already campaigning for the Deputy President position.

He urged residents of Tharaka-Nithi, Meru and the wider Mt Kenya East to take a leading role in defending Kindiki, while calling on Mt Kenya West and Kenyans from across the country to support the Deputy President.

Njuki said Prof Kindiki had demonstrated performance since taking over as Deputy President and questioned why some politicians were demanding that President Ruto replace him.

He said the Deputy President should be judged by his delivery and contribution to government.

Njuki's remarks come against the backdrop of renewed political debate over President Ruto's choice of running mate ahead of the 2027 elections.

The Governor recalled the 2022 UDA running-mate selection, saying President Ruto had initially preferred Kindiki and the party's delegates confirmed by voting in his favour.

He said two years later, following Gachagua's impeachment by the National Assembly and Senate, President Ruto appointed Kindiki as Deputy President.

According to Njuki, Kindiki has since delivered effectively in the position and should therefore be retained.

He accused a section of Mt Kenya West politicians opposing Kindiki of going against President Ruto's decision, saying the President had the constitutional mandate to appoint his deputy.

He also dismissed Mr Gachagua's political threats, saying the former Deputy President remained impeached and was misleading his supporters about his political prospects.

Turning to the 2027 presidential contest, Njuki expressed confidence that President Ruto would win a second term, arguing that his administration had delivered more development projects in four years than any previous government since independence.

He cited roads, markets and other development projects implemented in Tharaka-Nithi, including the completion of the Chuka-Kareni road linking the town to the county headquarters at Kathwana.

“President Ruto has delivered several projects in Tharaka-Nithi County, including completing the Chuka town-Kareni road joining the headquarters at Kathwana,” said Njuki.

He also cited the reduction in the cost of fertiliser as one of the achievements of the administration, saying ordinary farmers could now afford the input compared with the period before Ruto became President.

The Governor also criticised opposition leaders, including former Vice-President Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka and former Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang'i, saying they had held influential positions in government but could not be associated with development projects comparable to those being implemented under President Ruto.

Tharaka-Nithi Deputy Governor Nyaga Muisrael backed Kindiki's retention, saying the Deputy President had not failed in his responsibilities.

Muisrael said President Ruto should maintain Kindiki as his running mate because the current arrangement was working.

“You cannot change a working system. Prof. Kindiki has delivered and President Ruto should retain him,” Muisrael said.

Follow our WhatsApp channel for breaking news updates and more stories like this.