Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has not had the luxury of enjoying his new status as second in command after taking the oath of office.
With no grace period since he was sworn in on November 1 , Prof Kindiki has jumped straight into defending controversial government policies that have drawn criticism from Kenyans.
Coming into office when his boss had publicly confessed to being 'lonely' in the presidency, Prof Kindiki had his work cut out to become the president's running mate in articulating government policies.
Throughout the month of November, Prof Kindiki travelled to different parts of the country to explain government policies.
From the controversial Social Health Authority (SHA), the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the tea and coffee reforms and the overseas jobs programme, Prof Kindiki has been on an explanation spree. This has been exacerbated by mounting criticism, especially from the church.
Gatanga MP Wakili Muriu said the deputy president was part of the government where some of the decisions on the projects were taken, so he had no choice but to take collective responsibility.
However, Mr Muriu said Prof Kindiki has so far done well in assisting his boss to articulate government policies.
“Prof Kindiki has brought in what was lacking during (Rigathi) Gachagua’s time. The President then was the lone voice on government policies, be it on Social Health Authority or the new education funding model,” Mr Muriu said.
“Whether the government will succeed or not is another story, but at least now we see a deputy president supporting his boss in articulating government policies, something that was lacking during Gachagua’s time.”
Moi University lecturer Masibo Lumala says Prof Kindiki came in when things were hot for the government and the scrutiny is only intensifying.
But Prof Lumala says President Ruto is still steadfastly defending government policies while Prof Kindiki is not yet being identified as standing for anything other than supporting his boss.
“The focus is still not yet on him (Kindiki). He should focus on something that Kenyans can identify with. At least Gachagua was known for the murima, coffee and tea agenda. Prof Kindiki needs to pick something like the new education model and assure the young people that no one will be locked out because of fees,” Prof Lumala said.
On the new Social Health Authority (SHA), which has caused pain and anguish for many Kenyans, Prof Kindiki has admitted that it faces some challenges. But he insists that despite the hiccups, things are on track.
"We have introduced a new health system that will ensure the people who have less resources have access to proper health care, just like the rich," the DP said in Laisamis, Marsabit County.
Commenting on the church's scathing attacks on the government, particularly its inability to address health, corruption and cost of living issues affecting Kenyans, Prof Kindiki has also weighed in, urging the church to stop unwarranted attacks on the Ruto administration.
"All leaders have the liberty to present opinions on how to make Kenya move forward. But they must do it with love and patriotism. Let us not be disrespectful and inciteful," he said.
On the controversial reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), DP Kindiki has also come out strongly to defend the government over the impasse, saying the executive's hands are tied by pending court cases.
Speaking in Navakholo, Kakamega County last weekend, Prof Kindiki explained that a court injunction blocking the formation of the IEBC retirement panel was preventing the government from moving forward with the reconstitution process.
“Some Kenyans went to court and filed an injunction against the establishment of the retirement panel of the IEBC. We here there is an injunction, the government cannot do anything," Prof Kindiki said.
The DP has also defended the Kazi Majuu programme, saying it should not be interpreted as the government disposing of its citizens to foreign countries.
“We are not disposing of our people to other countries but securing them job opportunities abroad, to earn a decent living, utilise their skills and reinvest back home,” Prof Kindiki said at KICC this week.
A total of 7,700 Kenyan workers are expected to leave the country in early January for job opportunities in Qatar, with a further 8,000 expected to travel by March 2025.
According to the government, more than 282,000 diaspora jobs have been created in two years since the launch of the labour mobility programme.
Speaking in Mombasa during the Kenya Tea Summit, Prof Kindiki said the government remains committed to streamlining the sector through policy and administrative reforms.
"Going forward the government will continue to invest in this sub-sector. This administration under the Bottom Up Transformation Agenda believes that the only way to revive our agriculture and take it to the next century is by investing and putting resources in the production process,” Prof Kindiki said.
In a bid to shake off the tribal factor that the previous incumbent was accused of propagating, Prof Kindiki has since his inauguration sought to visit different parts of the country to project himself as a national leader.
He has so far visited Mwingi in Kitui County, Laisamis in Marsabit County, Ndia in Kirinyaga County, Mwatate in Taita Taveta County, Kakamega and Eldoret.
