Kindiki's allies tell off ODM over clamour for DP slot

Leaders from Mount Kenya East have insisted that Deputy President Kithure Kindiki must retain his position as President William Ruto's running mate in next year's election.

They spoke as Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Oburu Oginga affirmed the party's quest for the DP position.

Dr Oburu said ODM wants one of its own as President Ruto's running mate, sentiments that leaders in Professor Kindiki's Mount Kenya East backyard have not taken kindly to.

Meru Governor Mutuma M'Ethingia, Tharaka Nithi's Muthomi Njuki, MPs Julius Taitumu (Igembe North), Patrick Munene (Chuka Igambang'ombe), George Murugara (Tharaka), and former Meru ODM chairman Mike Makarena said the region will accept nothing less than the DP's position.

Governor M'Ethingia said the region is for a Ruto-Kindiki line-up next year.

"Claims about alternative deputy presidential candidates are misplaced. President Ruto has a capable, focused, and dependable deputy who understands the government’s agenda and the priorities of Mt Kenya. The direction is clear, the leadership is settled, and the future remains firmly with UDA," he said.

Governor Njuki, the Vice Chair of the Council of Governors, argued that Kindiki was capable of mobilizing more votes for President Ruto than any ODM running mate.

“We are in President Ruto’s government, and we are here to stay. We have the DP slot, and we are satisfied,” Njuki said.

He said the region’s support for Ruto's government was hinged on Kindiki’s position as second in command and cautioned that any attempt to replace him could cause a reassessment of their political position.

Njuki termed ODM’s interest in the seat as provocative.

He said President Ruto had repeatedly expressed confidence in Kindiki’s performance, hence calls to replace him were unnecessary.

Mr Taitumu said Kindiki had been the perfect principal assistant and had supported President Ruto's economic agenda and stabilized the country politically, too, and thus must retain the seat.

"Kindiki has done a lot to stabilize this country. Our stand as Mount Kenya is that the number two slot is ours. We are going to fight for it, come rain, come shine," Taitumu said.

He said ODM can agitate for more slots but must forget about replacing Kindiki.

"There are other slots that ODM can have. But for now and 2027, our resolve is that the running mate for President Ruto will be Kindiki," he added.

Mr Munene said Kindiki had rightly earned his place as the second in command, and he had proved his suitability as Ruto's principal assistant, hence no need to upset the status quo.

"I don’t think there is any quest there. Oburu already made his remark at Kisumu, the bedrock of ODM, in the presence of the president and the public. Again, Kindiki is the second top-most politician in Kenya right now, and we can’t continue behaving as if he is just there on sympathy. He is the DP by merit. ODM was still in broad-based government, and leave alone Oburu, when Raila Odinga was alive, they settled on Kindiki as DP," Munene stated.

The lawmaker said Kindiki had earned his place as DP, and pointed out President Ruto's numerous public sentiments vouching for his competence and abilities 

Mr Murugara was categorical that there was no bargaining on who is going to be Ruto's running mate next year, as Kindiki had proved his mettle politically and the development projects he has been lobbying for.

"The DP in 2027 is going to be Kindiki. We are not going to change. There is no need for change, especially because we have seen his development in achieving Ruto's agenda. He understands his job," Murugara said, adding that they were not worried by ODM's agitation to replace Kindiki.

Mr Makarena said Oburu should show respect for Kindiki and leave him to implement the job Ruto has given him.

"ODM must be satisfied with the positions they already have in the broad-based government, and while they should be at liberty to want more, they should forget about the DP slot. That position is for Mount Kenya. Kindiki has earned the confidence and support of Mount Kenya and the ideal situation is him remaining as Ruto's DP," Makarena added.