For the last 10 months, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has made more than 30 trips to his backyard – either to inspect development projects or to fight to erase opposition footprints in the region.
Facing multiple attacks from a host of opposition leaders in the Mt Kenya region, Prof Kindiki, who is largely fighting alone, has retreated to showcasing and fast-tracking government projects.
Among the Mt Kenya opposition bigwigs fighting to deny him another chance in the presidency are Rigathi Gachagua , John Methu, Ndindi Nyoro, Martha Karua, Justin Muturi, Gitonga Mukunji, Peter Munya, Mithika Linturi and Kawira Mwangaza.
But according to Prof Kindiki, his key leverage is that “he has a lot of work to show in Mt Kenya as deputy president, while Mr Gachagua has no track record for his time in office.”
On all occasions, Prof Kindiki's rallying call has been that voters must judge leaders based on their development track record.
“It is said that ‘a crown is valuable as long as it is being worn. Once the crown is taken away, it is a worthless piece of metal.’ Do not fall prey to people who never came to you nor did anything for you when they were in power,” Prof Kindiki has maintained.
Of the many trips he has made to the Mt Kenya region, he has been in Meru more than 15 times, around seven in Tharaka Nithi and made about seven trips to Embu as well as four visits to Kirinyaga.
Deputy President and UDA Deputy Party Leader Kithure Kindiki meets nearly 30,000 elected UDA grassroots officials from across Meru County at Kinoru Stadium in Meru Town.
Photo credit: DPCS
In the west of the mountain, Prof Kindiki has visited nine times, six of which he was accompanying President Ruto.
In the Mt Kenya East region, the deputy president has been inspecting projects, engaging grassroots leaders, meeting United Democratic Alliance (UDA) officials or being endorsed by elders.
He has also attended church services and held empowerment forums which he has used to enumerate the current administration’s development record.
Prof Kindiki has been listing multi-billion projects which include markets, roads, rural electrification, and affordable housing as the footprints of President Ruto’s performance.
In Meru County, Prof Kindiki says the government is building more than 500 kilometers of roads at a cost of over Sh42 billion, upgrading two hospitals at more than Sh1.1 billion and putting up 21 modern markets.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki speaks at Kinoru Stadium, Meru Town.
He said the Meru County Aggregation and Industrial Park constructed is almost complete, while two stadiums - Maua and Urru are being improved for over Sh350 million.
“Our competitors only know how to hurl insults and come up with slogans. Yet Kenyans want roads, modern markets, water and better hospitals and this is what we are focused on,” DP said in Meru last week.
In Embu County, DP Kindiki said the government is building 12 markets, constructing 10 roads and upgrading the Embu stadium.
He said the government is also undertaking the Kiambere bulk water project as well as upgrading Embu Level Five Hospital.
"Those telling us to leave the government should understand that all these development projects, particularly the roads, could not have been achieved without our strength while inside the government," Prof Kindiki told UDA officials.
In Tharaka Nithi County, the Deputy President says about 13 road projects are ongoing while the government has committed to redesign the Nithi bridge for Sh7 billion.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki addresses a gathering in his Irunduni, Tharaka-Nithi County, on August 2, 2026.
Photo credit: DPCS
"For close to 40 years, the Nithi Bridge has been claiming lives. It is President Ruto who made a commitment to stop the carnage. The contractor for Nithi Bridge is already on site awaiting compensation for land ownership," the DP said.
Prof Kindiki is now riding on the projects to rally his backyard to back him as he battles internal competition for President Ruto’s running mate in 2027.
He said he will use the remaining time of the current term to fast-track completion of projects that are underway in the County as he pushes for commencement of others.
“I will work hard, and I will account for my time in office. We still have more roads to build, more markets to complete and other projects we are keen to finish,” he added.
Following his endorsement by Mt Kenya elders last week, it remains to be seen if the deputy president will spread his tentacles in the west of the mountain after months of lobbying his backyard.
