New DP Kindiki has his work cut out for him

Friday's swearing-in of Prof Kithure Kindiki as the new Deputy President presents an opportunity for the country to now begin its healing and focus fully on key national challenges.

He becomes the third DP under the 2010 Constitution, having just replaced Mr Rigathi Gachagua, who was impeached after falling out with President William Ruto. The first was the current President himself.

The country has been split down the middle and it is hardly surprising that there are mixed reactions to the change of the occupant of the office of the President’s principal assistant.

After two years at the helm of the nation, it became quite evident that President Ruto had irreconcilable differences with then DP Gachagua.

Since their relationship had reached a point of no return, the constitutional process kicked in, with the National Assembly voting overwhelmingly to impeach him. And the Senate soundly endorsed his ouster.

But the former DP still had one more option, the courts, where his legal team has put up a spirited fight until the verdict that this key office could not continue to be left vacant. The High Court then lifted the conservatory orders that had blocked the swearing-in of his replacement.

However, Mr Gachagua is still in court fighting his impeachment. Should the courts uphold his removal from office, he will be disqualified from vying for or getting appointed to any public office. He will thus not only be politically vanquished, but will also be denied retirement benefits.

Prof Kindiki, who resigned as Interior Cabinet Secretary before being sworn-in as the DP, has now been elevated to the centre of national politics.

There have been celebrations in the greater Meru, his home region, but disappointment in the former DP’s central Kenya backyard.

A lot of time and resources have been expended on Mr Gachagua’s ejection. It is now time to end the vicious battle at the heart of the highest office in the land and allow the leadership to deliver on its promises to improve the people’s well-being.

In his address, President Ruto made it clear that he now has a principal assistant he has confidence in.

He said he had in the recent past been left on his own to articulate government policies and programmes and that he was sure of Prof Kindiki’s loyalty.

The acrimony that had taken centre stage after the President fell out with former DP Gachagua should now be put aside and all the energies channelled into delivery of election campaign pledges.

According to the President, Prof Kindiki will provide the support he has lacked in the past two years of his difficult partnership with his former deputy.

In his thinly veiled criticism of former DP Gachagua, who tried to sell the controversial and divisive idea of the government as a company, where shareholding determines benefits, President Ruto said: “We will serve all the people equally.

No region or community shall be left behind. We will serve those who voted for us and those who did not vote for us equally.”

Many will be keenly watching Prof Kindiki to see how he navigates the tricky national terrain to balance the interests of the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition and those of the rest of the country.

However, quite pressing are some key development challenges including poverty alleviation, inequality, youth unemployment, creating quality jobs, and fighting corruption.

The country is grappling with the chaotic rollout of the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) that replaced the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) from October 1.

Critically ill patients requiring dialysis and cancer treatment have found themselves being asked to pay cash upfront despite having fully paid for their NHIF cards.

Since the GenZ protests forced the withdrawal of the controversial Finance Bill, 2024 that contained “punitive and oppressive” taxes, painful budget cuts have had to be made. There is also a major crisis in higher education with university lecturers on strike and a new model of student funding that is simply not working.

Prof Kindiki should work with his boss to find ways to tackle the debilitating difficulties, including the high cost of living and rising prices of basic commodities. In just three years, the voters will give their verdict on their performance.