Deputy President Kithure Kindiki Thursday lashed out at opposition leaders for engaging in early campaigns at the expense of development of the country, saying they had lost direction.
Speaking as he officially opened the newly constructed Wang'uru Public Primary School in Kirinyaga County, Kindiki announced that the government has no time for politics.
The school has been built with the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) through the initiative of Mwea MP, Mary Maingi.
"Instead of focusing on development, the opposition leaders are going around the country campaigning. They are inviting us to a political competition, but we are not available. We are busy people," he said, and told Kenyans to ignore them.
The DP reminded the opposition leaders that there was time for everything. “This is the time to work for Kenyans, and when the time for politics comes, we shall face off with the opposition…we are not cowards," he stated.
He accused the opposition leaders of trying to provoke the government by hurling insults at it and inciting Kenyans during their campaign meetings.
Prof Kindiki said Kenya Kwanza was working so hard to fulfill its promises to Kenyans and would not be tempted to play politics around.
"If we take the opposition's route, then we shall lose our direction and fail in our development mission," he stated.
Recently, the opposition led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, and People's Liberation Party leader Martha Karua met at Wamunyoro and vowed to make President William Ruto a one-term President.
Local MPs, Mary Maingi (Mwea), Gachoki Gitari (Kirinyaga Central), as well as National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah, echoed Prof Kindiki's sentiments.
"We have a lot of work to do and we are telling our competitors to wait until the next campaign period," said Mr Ichung'wah.
Ms Maingi expressed concerns over the poor roads in her political stronghold and pleaded with Prof Kindiki to intervene.
In response, Prof Kindiki promised that the roads, particularly those passing through the giant Mwea Irrigation Scheme, will be fixed.
And Mr Gitari called on the government to split Mwea into two constituencies to ease administration and take services closer to the residents, as well as promote easier representation in Parliament.
Former Kirinyaga Woman Representative, Wangui Ngirici, asked the Deputy President to have the stalled roads in Ngurubani town revived.
"Roads in Ngurubani town were left in a complete and traders are suffering," she said, and pledged to avoid politics and focus on development so that the residents can benefit.
Prof Kindiki revealed that the government has now enough funds and would complete all the stalled road projects across Kenya before the 2027 polls.
"We are racing against time. We are going to work so hard so that we shall have something good to show to Kenyans during the next electioneering period," he said.
On rice, Prof Kindiki observed that rice farmers contribute enormously to the growth of the economy and should get better payment for their produce.
"We will increase the price of rice from the current Sh85 per kg of the commodity to Sh100 because that is what will give farmers minimum guarantee returns," he said.
The DP said prices of coffee have increased from Sh50 per kg to Sh150 due to reforms initiated by the government.
