The DP was sworn in on November 1, 2024, after the impeachment of Mr Gachagua who is fighting for his political career in the courts, cases that will determine whether or not he is fit to occupy public office.
Prof Kindiki has since opened up the DP’s Karen residence to the public, hosting delegations of more than 1,000 grassroots leaders from the counties in what he says is “explaining the government’s development agenda, tracking implementation of ongoing projects and assessing the priority development needs for each constituency and county.”
So far, the professor has held consultative forums with leaders from Taita Taveta, Embu, Kajiado, Tharaka Nithi, Nakuru, and Isiolo counties. On Monday, February 3 he is scheduled to host leaders from Samburu and Kiambu counties.
Besides hosting elected leaders and delegations in Karen from the grassroots, Prof Kindiki has made visits to various counties to officiate development projects and inspect ongoing projects.
This is a departure from his predecessor, who publicly voiced concerns that he was either unaware or did not understand key government development programmes.
Mr Gachagua also criticized President Ruto’s programmes, saying some of them were against their agreement with the people of Kenya.
On Friday and Saturday, Prof Kindiki toured Nyeri and Embu counties respectively where he inspected roads and last-mile connectivity projects. In Embu, he addressed more than 10,000 boda boda operators.
Addressing the delegation from Tharaka Nithi on Tuesday last week at Karen, the DP said his official residence would be a place “for assessing development projects”, saying he would periodically invite leaders from all parts of the country to brief them on government projects.
The meetings are also being seen in light of reviving the county economic charters that President Ruto signed with Kenyans at the county level, and which have since been abandoned.
“My predecessor did not hold a single meeting in which matters to do with development were discussed but I will demonstrate what the office of the deputy president should operate,” Prof Kindiki said in a jibe at Mr Gachagua.
“My work is to talk to Kenyans from all regions so that I get an update on projects and revive those that are stalled. After that, the President will come and commission them.”
He added: “I will be updating you every month, quarterly, and annually on what is going on and which projects have been allocated funds. Even if there is nothing to report we also need to tell our people there is no money and that projects will be implemented when funds are available.”
After each meeting, the DP mandates the leader of the delegation to form a committee comprising representatives from each constituency, professionals, and affirmative action groups.
These committees are expected to play a critical role in mobilising members of the public at the grassroots during political meetings, with the DP telling delegations that those selected as representatives should support the government.
“If you are a member of the committee, the honourable thing to do is to support us in what we are doing because you will be expected to communicate to Kenyans information about development projects in your areas,” the DP said.
Prof Kindiki’s activities are informed by the fact that 2025 is a do-or-die for President Ruto’s administration during which they will have to prove to Kenyans that they can deliver.
The impeachment of Mr Gachagua led to discontent among the people of Mt Kenya who felt that they were betrayed after giving President Ruto to almost a man with 87 per cent of the region’s vote and 47 per cent nationally in 2022, sending Dr Ruto to State House in an election he was pitted against state machinery that was backing his main opponent, Mr Raila Odinga.
According to Mr Muthaura Njogu, a political analyst from Meru, the MPs in the Mt Kenya region will have a rough time trying to secure their re-election if there is no tangible development in the region.
“After the impeachment of Gachagua, which led to the hostility against MPs who voted to kick him out of office, there are only two people who can save them. The President and his deputy. If they don’t deliver any tangible development, it will take a miracle for them to be re-elected,” Mr Njogu told Daily Nation.
In all the meetings he has held in the region and at his Karen residence, the DP has appeared to prepare the ground for President Ruto’s tours in the Mt Kenya region, appealing to residents to welcome him when he visits.
However, the road to winning back the Mt Kenya region is littered with landmines, forcing the second in command to tread carefully.
On Saturday when Prof Kindiki held a meeting with over 10,000 boda boda operators at Runyenjes stadium during the launch of Embu County boda boda riders' strategic plan, it was clear that anybody criticising leaders in the region is likely to face the wrath of the residents.
The DP was accompanied by Embu Governor and ruling party chairperson Cecily Mbarire, National Assembly majority leader Kimani Ichung'wa, Presidential advisor Moses Kuria, and Embu Senator Alexander Mundigi.
Others in attendance were MPs, Geoffrey Ruku (Mbeere North), Nebart Muriuki (Mbeere South), Eric Muchangi (Runyenjes), and Japheth Nyakundi (Kitutu Chache North), Reuben Koborek (Mogotio) and Jane Kagiri (Laikipia).
The leaders present were forced to steer away from opposition politics after Mr Kiborek was shouted down by the riders when he hit out at Public Service CS Justin Muturi for his criticism of the government.
"We have heard a government official criticising the government over extrajudicial killings. When he was the speaker, there were killings and we never heard him speak," Mr Kiborek said amid booing.
It took the efforts of Governor Mbarire to restore calm and she implored the residents to support the government arguing that "the opposition is not the best place to be."
"We should not be guided by anger and emotions. Let us work with the government because if we do not work with the government, others will. Do not be duped into running into the opposition," she said.
She said the leaders in the region were focusing on lobbying for development programmes before the elections.
"We will play all the politics in 2027. If I start fighting the government, what will happen to the work that has been initiated…Let us shun politics of hatred," the governor added.
Mr Ichung'wa also said politicians supporting President Ruto should focus on development. "Let us ignore those playing politics for selfish interest. Instead, you should seek to know what the leaders coming to you have to offer," he said.
"Let us avoid the politics of who has a say in what region. For us as a government, we will remain focused on delivering because the time for the campaign is not now. The time for the campaign will come,"
