Kindiki defends record ahead of President's visit to Ukambani

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Thursday led a high profile delegation to Ukambani in what appears to be a strategic plan to woo the region ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Speaking during a fundraiser for women groups at Zombe in Kitui East, and Mukuyuni in Kaiti Constituency, Makueni County, Kindiki accused opposition leaders for engaging in empty rhetoric instead of suggesting ways to make Kenyans lives better. 

Kindiki accused his predecessor Rigathi Gachagua of teaming up with other politicians to incite Kenyans.

“We will protect peace and promote unity in our country at whatever cost. I challenge our friends in the other side to exercise restraint in the language they are deploying in their quest to endear themselves to Kenyans. Whatever we say, we must desist from making remarks that are likely to breed hostility among communities,” Prof Kindiki said.

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Kindiki urged Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka to be wary of his new found ally, Gachagua whom he termed as a leader full of negative ethnicity and lacking communication etiquette.

“Gachagua has made a record of insulting leaders everywhere he goes. Kalonzo should take care of Gachagua because he too will be insulted one day soon,” said Kindiki.

He went on, "People are free to look for votes but they should stop inciting Kenyans. What some people are predicting will not happen to Kenya because God loves us. We are going to ensure peace today and always." 

He emphasised accountability in leadership, urging elected leaders to give progress reports of their work.

"Every elected leader must account for what they have done. Leadership should be about service delivery, not empty rhetoric," Kindiki said. 

The deputy president enumerated the gains made by President Ruto's government among improved economy and reduction of fuel prices which he said had lowered the cost of living. 

"The government has stabilised the economy and we are at a good place unlike in the past. This is due to good government policies among them subsidized fertilizer programme," he said.

The deputy president who was in the company of local MPs then announced goodies among them Sh150 million for the completion of the killer Enziu Bridge, which has in the past claimed tens of lives.

The DP also announced Sh1.5 billion for the completion of a 27 stretch of Kibwezi - Kitui - Migwani road that stalled at Kwa Siku area in Mwingi West. The government will also tarmac the key link road Chuluni - Zombe road, he said.

"I will be on hand to bring the contractor on site to start works on that road," Kindiki said, further announcing Sh800 million to compensate land owners whose land was taken for the construction of the Sh8.9 billion Kibwezi - Kitui road. 

On rural electrification, the deputy president said the government has set aside Sh4 billion to connect 18, 000 households in both Makueni and Kitui to the national grid.

In Kaiti constituency where he was hosted by Aerospace PS Terry Mbaika, Kindiki revealed the government will spend Sh305 million in rural electrification.

"The economy is giving good progress, we shall finish all the stalled projects and do new ones," stated Kindiki. 

Kindiki's Ukambani visit marked a significant push by the ruling coalition to strengthen its foothold in a region traditionally viewed as an opposition stronghold.

Other leaders who accompanied the DP include MPs Vincent Musau (Mwala), Mwengi Mutuse (Kibwezi West), Joshua Mwalyo (Masinga), Fabian Muli (Kangundo) and Caleb Mule (Machakos Town), and Kericho Senator Aron Cheruiyot.