Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has said the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party has no chance in the fight for his seat ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking at Kariene in Meru County on Sunday, Prof Kindiki said he was not perturbed by ODM's demands in the broad-based government.
He maintained that he would not be provoked into an unnecessary contest over the DP slot, stressing that his work in assisting President William Ruto in the delivery of development to all parts of the Country will speak for itself.
"I understand that the demands by ODM are causing jitters here in Meru. I am the deputy president and am not going anywhere. In politics, I am no pushover and cannot be intimidated. I assure you that there is no cause for alarm. The demands by ODM are just hot air," DP Kindiki said.
He said he ascended to the position out of the overwhelming support the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party received from his region.
Referring to himself as “the master of the game in politics, he added: “Do not be troubled by the political stories you are hearing out there. I am the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya. That position is not about to change, today or in the days ahead. And after this position, I can only move forward. The future is bright. Do not be afraid. I have been in this game long enough. As a master of politics, I know when to talk, when to keep quiet and when to work. A poor, hopeless politician does not know how to read the signs of time. They talk aimlessly and have nothing to show for their time in authority.”
Prof Kindiki said Meru County, his backyard, gave President Ruto the fourth highest number of votes in the 2022 elections.
“We are experts in politics and should not be taken for granted. Having been in politics for long, I know when to work and play politics. We will prove ourselves by delivering development across this country,” he said.
The deputy president maintained that the government was implementing a host of development projects, noting that "we do not support this government for nothing, but because of the work being done on the economy and infrastructure.”
Prof Kindiki, who spoke after attending the induction of Methodist Church bishop Doreen Mwathe, was accompanied by Meru governor Isaac Mutuma, MPs Moses Kirima (Imenti Central), Mpuru Aburi (Tigania East), Julius Taitumu (Igembe North) and Dorothy Muthoni (nominated).
"Let it be known that the deputy president’s seat is not vacant. The Mt Kenya East leaders will defend its place in this government," Governor Mutuma said.
Recently, politicians allied to President Ruto and Prof Kindiki declared the position of deputy president was non-negotiable in possible coalition talks between UDA and ODM.
Prof Kindiki’s loyalists in Mt Kenya are reading a political trap in the growing scramble for his position ahead of the 2027 General Election.
They believe powerful forces are manoeuvring behind the scenes and fear a deliberate trap designed to test Mt Kenya’s loyalty to President Ruto’s re-election bid.
Political analysts suggest that the manoeuvres around Prof Kindiki’s position are not accidental. With a broad-based government that includes Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta loyalists, President Ruto is likely recalibrating his strategy to either consolidate or reconfigure his 2022 winning coalition.
For many, forcing competition for the running mate slot is a way to ensure that only the most politically capable and loyal candidate remains.
Prof Kindiki’s political fortunes have been under scrutiny since the controversial impeachment of his predecessor, Rigathi Gachagua , in 2024—a move widely viewed as a betrayal that sparked anger across Mt Kenya. Kindiki ascended to the deputy presidency amid legal challenges from Gachagua’s camp, leaving lingering questions about the legitimacy of his office.
Yet he has remained a steadfast figure, navigating the turbulent political waters with caution and resilience.
The current scramble is further intensified by ODM’s ambitions. Party leaders have openly indicated interest in the deputy presidency, signalling that Kindiki could be displaced if Mt Kenya does not unequivocally demonstrate its support for Ruto. The threat has been echoed by some loyalists who warn that the region could withhold support entirely if Kindiki is sidelined.
“I won't be surprised to know that President Ruto has a hand in these pitches for Prof Kindiki's position. The president will stand to be the most prejudiced if he went to the 2027 contest with a weak running mate," says political scientist Mr Festus Wangwe.
But according to Laikipia East MP Mr Mwangi Kiunjuri, President Ruto retains the monopoly of deciding who deputises him in 2027.
"But we, as Mt Kenya region, have to be very careful because we have Prof Kindiki already in the position. But that is not enough, there are things we must do to sustain him in the position beyond 2027," he said.
Mr Kiunjuri said, "Prof Kindiki's position is like a beautiful wife who is attracting interest from other men. There is competition. It is the work of Mt Kenya to ensure that the position does not go to another suitor".
According to political scientist Mr John Okumu, "those reacting that if Kindiki is dropped they will decamp from Ruto camp are only making the deputy president's case more dire".
