Ruto: Kindiki will succeed where Gachagua failed
President William Ruto has expressed confidence that Deputy President Kithure Kindiki will provide the dependable support he has lacked for the past two years.
Addressing an enthusiastic crowd at Prof Kindiki's swearing-in ceremony, President Ruto explained why he had chosen him as the deputy, while the former CS gave a pledge of loyalty to serve the head of state and the Republic of Kenya.
In a subtle dig at his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua, who was impeached by Parliament, the President said he was confident Prof Kindiki was up to the task of serving the Republic of Kenya without favour to any particular region.
"I need your voice and intellect to profile the things we are doing as government as I have been missing that for the past two years," Dr Ruto said on Friday to cheers from the jubilant crowd at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi.
He said that leaders serve at the pleasure of the people of Kenya as enshrined in the Constitution.
“None of us is greater than what the Constitution says. We must submit to what the Constitution says. We will serve all the people equally. No region or community shall be left behind. We will serve those who voted for us and those who did not vote for us equally," the president said amid applause.
The Head of State stressed the need for national unity, an issue that contributed to the impeachment of Mr Gachagua, who was accused of playing politics of exclusion through his infamous “shareholding” remarks.
In his motion in the National Assembly, Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse revisited Mr Gachagua’s public statements, which he said discriminated against a section of Kenyans.
“…on diverse dates throughout the last two years, His Excellency Rigathi Gachagua has persistently made utterances threatening to discriminate, exclude and unlawfully deny sections of the people of Kenya and regions of the Republic of Kenya equal opportunities for public service appointments and allocation of public resources,” read the motion.
President Ruto said his administration does not intend to exclude Kenyans on the basis of their religious backgrounds.
“I am proud to witness the swearing-in of Hon Prof Kithure Kindiki as the third Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya. I know him as a dedicated professional whose commitment to excellence has helped us overcome daunting challenges, and as a tireless public servant on the path of national leadership.
“Prof Kindiki is also a patriot whose dedication to cohesion, national unity, and inclusivity is beyond reproach, an effective champion of peace and security across our country, and a loyal steward of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda,” the president said.
He said his new deputy has demonstrated exceptional dedication, high competence and professionalism, consistently delivering results beyond expectations in his past political and professional endeavours.
The president was addressing local and international dignitaries who graced the occasion, including foreign diplomats, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Chief Justice Martha Koome, Senate and National Assembly Speakers Amason Kingi and Moses Wetang'ula, among other government officials and leaders.
In his acceptance speech after being sworn in, Prof Kindiki said he would remain loyal and serve faithfully as the country's second in command.
"With the oath of allegiance and due execution of functions of Deputy President, I want to commit to you before this congregation and Almighty God, that I will serve under you and provide you with the assistance and support you require to take this country to the next level. I will be loyal and faithful," Prof Kindiki pledged.
He said he would work hard to ease the burden on President Ruto's shoulders as he strives to serve Kenyans.
"This is the highest honour in my life and I don't take it for granted ... I'm grateful to God, to you, sir (Ruto), for the honour you've given me to serve under you," the DP said.
"I've been your political student for nearly 20 years now. I promise before this congregation and God that I will not let you down for the privilege you've granted me."
Prof Kindiki said he was grateful to all the institutions that facilitated the whole process, including Friday's ceremony.
"This is a testament to the maturity of our democracy and proves that our institutions work."
The DP who was accompanied by his wife, Dr Joyce Kithure, thanked his family for laying the foundation for his success.
"I'm grateful to all including my family, my wife Dr Joyce Kithure and my three children for being the foundation and providing support I have always required to navigate this field."
He went on: "I affirm throughout my journey, culminating in this moment, I have come to believe that Kenya is the country of possibility.
"For a person like me to take the office of the Deputy President, it can only happen in Kenya."
Mr Mudavadi lamented that Kenyans have accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of taking its eye off the ball. He said that with the new dawn in the country’s leadership, they will succeed.
“We have had a tumultuous two years and there are moments that Kenyans have accused us of having taking our eye off the ball. This is a great moment for us to retrace our steps, get together, have a unity of purpose, have the resolve and the will and focus so that we can deliver for the Kenyan people as they requested us to do when they cast their votes two years ago,” he said.
Mr Mudavadi added, “In Prof Kindiki, we see a lot of virtues; the virtue of humility and simplicity, which are very important virtues. If, as a nation, we can embrace this humility, we will go far. If you disregard humility, it can be very expensive.”
President Ruto noted that Kenya is at a stage in the implementation cycle of its National Transformation Agenda and that the people need “a patriotic public servant and a consummate champion of our constitutional dispensation, broad-based national governance framework, and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, to support the Cabinet and the presidency in delivering fully and on time.”
“This moment calls for an individual who takes pride in a job well done, is humble enough to be a loyal servant of the people, is selfless enough to reach out and mobilise the entirety of government towards delivering for Kenya, experienced enough to understand the importance of engaging all sectors of our economy to drive transformation and committed enough to serve professionally, with loyalty and integrity.
“I am delighted to affirm that our coalition, and indeed our nation, is blessed with many professionals who meet all these criteria. Among them, Prof Kindiki stands out for his exceptional qualifications, extensive experience, and wide-ranging accomplishments. I am honoured that he is available, ready, and willing to serve as my deputy.”
