Mic check: How Kindiki found his voice in grassroots empowerment drives

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki may be emerging as the principal assistant President William Ruto had long yearned for during his turbulent partnership with Rigathi Gachagua, an alliance that ended in a historic impeachment.

Ruto publicly confessed about feeling lonely at the helm, often bearing the burden of explaining his administration’s plans and defending its promises to a skeptical public.

“I have almost become a lonely voice in the Executive, especially in the presidency; speaking about our projects, speaking about our programs, elaborating on what we are doing,” revealed President Ruto when Kindiki was sworn in November last year shortly after Gachagua’s ouster.

“I am confident that you will do that, which I have missed for the last two years,” he added.

Whether motivated by loyalty, ambition, or both, DP Kindiki has undergone a subtle but striking transformation in recent weeks.

Once reserved and understated, he is now increasingly vocal and visible, his days consumed by economic empowerment drives that have drawn him from the comfort of his Harambee House Annex office and Karen residence into the heart of rural Kenya.

Mainly held on weekends, these meetings have given Kindiki a platform to articulate government policy and development initiatives, establishing him as the de facto spokesperson of the Kenya Kwanza administration.

Despite the euphoric support that the regime had when it first came to power in September 2022, its popularity has waned, partly due to what critics describe as poor communication. The turning point may have come in 2024, when public outrage over the Finance Bill forced the government into retreat. Now, Kindiki appears determined to fill that communication vacuum.

He has been keen to use his meetings to address the sticky points including youth unemployment, uncertainty in the education sector, Universal Healthcare plan that remains out of reach for many, and the frustrations of farmers and small-scale traders.

“Our determination to empower all citizens, create jobs and income opportunities, dignify the daily toil of small-scale traders and increase household incomes for our people is unstoppable,” he said during an empowerment drive in Machakos on Friday.

But, these are the very issues critics say the government has failed to communicate or resolve.

“While Kenya Kwanza has a number of successful policy interventions, it has had challenges crafting and executing a policy communication strategy. Many citizens are not aligned nor informed of the import of policy interventions and signature events. The administration also suffers from a trust crisis and some officers responsible for message delivery lack message discipline and consistency,” noted political analyst Dismas Mokua.

Mokua is skeptical of Kindiki’s grassroots push as a substitute for structured policy communication. “The empowerment programs may offer visibility, but they come across more as campaign tools than governance initiatives,” he added.

In many of these events, Kindiki spends a considerable amount of time articulating how the government is spending taxpayer funds, especially within the area of visit. This contradicts a common practice among politicians where delivery of verbal blows against an opponent comes first.

Before each visit, he meets with MPs and local leaders to understand community needs, a tactic borrowed from his boss, President Ruto. The model has elevated grassroots leaders, giving them a key role in mobilisation and planning.

But, there’s a notable absence at these gatherings: governors. Whether by design or coincidence, their silence has sparked questions about Kindiki’s real influence and hints at possible friction with some county bosses.

‘Early Campaigns’

Critics also argue that the empowerment drives are thinly veiled political campaigns, considering they attract national heavyweights. Ruto’s influential aide Farouk Kibet, Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, have all featured prominently.

Last Sunday, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale joined an economic empowerment event in Thika while National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula joined a similar event in Kitui on Monday.

“It appears that the empowerment programme is a special purpose vehicle to grow and develop President Ruto’s vote for the 2027 presidential elections. There is no coincidence as to the concentration of these programmes in areas where Ruto is likely to face challenges,” opined Mokua.

The optics have drawn fire. Opponents accuse Kindiki and his allies of engaging in tokenism, showering women and youth groups with cash handouts that resemble voter bribery more than empowerment. Last month in Naivasha, Kindiki and his allies reportedly raised Sh15 million, prompting public scrutiny over the source of the funds.

“These are acts of mass bribery,” says political analyst Arnold Maliba. “The goal was to create a wave of good vibes around the administration, but it hasn’t delivered the desired momentum.”

Kindiki, however, insists the efforts are genuine.

“Empowerment is something we will not relent in pursuing. Anyone opposed to it doesn't know how Sh10,000, Sh20,000, Sh50,000 is crucial to uplifting someone's hustle.”

Both Mokua and Maliba warn that the program may not be sustainable. The lack of transparency over the funding and the perception of favoritism have left Kindiki exposed to misinformation campaigns and growing public mistrust.

Still, Kindiki remains undeterred.

“No amount of noise will stop the ongoing economic empowerment program because we are focused and determined to improve the lives of our people,” declared the DP.