President William Ruto’s war council is keen to win over Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka as part of a larger scheme to scuttle the opposition and increase the President’s chances of re-election in 2027.
In the worst-case scenario, the President’s camp could go for another opposition leader who controls a solid voting bloc. However, Mr Musyoka — a prospective flag bearer of the opposition — has become the prime target.
In the last two weeks alone, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has pitched tent in Ukambani for 10 days. He has been courting Mr Musyoka, the region’s political supremo.
The former vice-president is projected to control three million votes from his backyard and in other regions.
In a bid to soften the ground, the President’s brigade has taken a common position to avoid antagonising Mr Musyoka. Most of their criticism is directed at Mr Kalonzo’s colleagues in the opposition such as former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and ex-Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua .
During his empowerment engagements in Machakos, Kitui and Makueni, Prof Kindiki has emphasised that he is ready to work with Mr Musyoka.
Voting patterns in the last three general elections show that the Ukambani region has overwhelmingly voted for coalitions that Mr Musyoka has supported. This could somewhat make him a kingmaker in the 2027 polls.
Kenya Kwanza Alliance is alarmed by the Kalonzo-Gachagua plan to unite the populous Gikuyu, Embu, Meru and Akamba communities. This has dominated the DP’s recent speeches while addressing political rallies.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki acknowledges greetings from residents and leaders during an economic empowerment engagement in support of women and youth groups in Katangi in Yatta Constituency, Machakos County on June 14,2025.
Photo credit: DPCS
In a whistle-stop tour of Ukambani the DP visited Machakos town, Masinga, Kangundo, Yatta, Mwala, Kitui East, Kitui Central, Kitui South, Kaiti, Kilome and Makueni where he supported women’s and youth groups.
During President Mwai Kibaki’s tenure, Mr Musyoka and Prof Kindiki worked together. The latter served as Secretary in charge of National Cohesion, although he resigned midway to focus on his legal practice.
“I respect Kalonzo who is my senior in law. He is full of respect for all leaders. I will talk to him because what we want to see is development of the region like every other part of the country,” Prof Kindiki said, as he appealed to leaders and residents to beseech Mr Musyoka to abandon Mr Gachagua.
He said that Mr Musyoka and Mr Gachagua were strange bedfellows who share nothing in common in their political mannerisms. The DP also noted that Mr Musyoka had a distinguished political career, and is known as a peacemaker in Kenya and in the region, while Mr Gachagua was practising divisive politics.
“I will look for him as you have tasked me to. We do not want him to be misled by those keen to destabilise the country through tribal politics,” the DP said.
Prof Kindiki rallied the region to avoid Mr Gachagua whom he described as mtu wa ukabila , shares, mitego, na matusi. (A tribalist, a man of shares, snares and insults.)
This was in reference to the remarks made against him by Mr Gachagua during his tour of the region last week.
“Kalonzo has never insulted me and I have never insulted him. And I will never do so. I am closer to him and he is my senior,” said Prof Kindiki whose home in Marimanti, Tharaka-Nithi is not far from Mr Kalonzo’s home in Tseikuru, Mwingi North, Kitui County.
“I am your neighbour and as a good neighbour I know what you need in terms of development. I am willing to do everything possible to ensure you get your deserving share,” he said in Makueni.
Prof Kindiki said that he has had long-standing family ties with the Wiper leader, and at some point, they organised an overseas scholarship for his son, Kennedy Musyoka, who is now serving in the East Africa Legislative Assembly.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki during an economic empowerment engagement in Masii, Machakos County on June 13, 2025.
Photo credit: DPCS
The DP sought the backing of long-serving MPs such as Mwala lawmaker Vincent Musyoka Kawaya and his Kitui South counterpart, Rachel Nyamai. Both are serving their third terms.
Prof Kindiki’s olive branch to Mr Musyoka underscored the former Mwingi North MP’s significance in the opposition coalition and also in President Ruto’s new strategy to neutralise his rivals.
Mr Musyoka is yet to respond to the DP, but Wiper Party’s Organising Secretary and Kathiani MP Robert Mbui dismissed the overtures by Prof Kindiki as an effort in futility.
Dwindling political fortunes
Mr Mbui, who is also the National Assembly Deputy Minority Leader, said Mr Musyoka had remained steadfast in the last 15 years, and cannot switch sides to join a regime with dwindling political fortunes.
“What Prof Kindiki is proposing is just laughable. We know that their political survival is hinged on creating a wedge between opposition leaders. But I can assure our supporters countrywide that will not happen” said Mr Mbui.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki during the Kilome Constituency Economic Empowerment Engagement for Women, Youth and Small-scale Traders SACCOs at Kasikeu Market, Makueni County.
Photo credit: DPCS
On the other hand, Jubilee Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni said Kenyans are determined to kick out the entire Kenya Kwanza administration.
“Kindiki is putting his best foot forward.At least he has tried to access areas that were difficult for Ruto, but when the opposition begins to crisscross the country, it will even be worse for them,” he said.
Observers say that Prof Kindiki’s battle is not just about political loyalty, but about visibility and influence.
“Traditionally seen as reserved and technocratic, he must now adopt a more assertive posture. This includes taking charge of Mt Kenya political engagements, leading development narratives – which he is doing very well, and defending the administration’s agenda before a sceptical electorate,” advocate Chris Omore said.
“He is betting on his clean image, legal acumen, and close ties to the President to sell a message of stability and maturity. But in a region where political theatrics and strongman politics often dominate, subtlety may not be enough. He needs surrogates, foot soldiers, and local champions to defend his turf.”
Either way, Prof Kindiki is in the fight of his life—one that will test his political instincts, loyalty, and resilience.
Ultimately, his survival depends on his ability to play both a national and regional game.
“If he fails to consolidate Mt Kenya behind Ruto, his future in the country’s top leadership will hang in the balance. If he succeeds, he will have redefined Mt Kenya’s politics and possibly emerged as the undisputed kingpin of the region.”
Either way, Prof Kindiki is in the fight of his life—one that will test his political instincts, loyalty, and resilience.
Ultimately, his survival depends on his ability to play both a national and regional game.
He must convince Mt Kenya that their interests are secure with him at the helm while proving to his boss - president Ruto that he can deliver politically in a restive region.
The 2027 battlefield is taking shape, and Kindiki’s every move will either cement his rise—or fast-track his fall.
