A DP cannot outshine his master - MP Nyamita defends Kindiki's "yes sir" title

A national daily baptized Kindiki with the title, describing him as President Ruto's 'perfect' deputy, a dependable, compliant assistant who was not as abrasive as the ousted Rigathi Gachagua.

Speaking to Citizen TV on Wednesday, the legislator held that Kindiki is rightfully executing his role and should not be censured for dutifully following the President's orders.

"The role of a Deputy President is to assist the President to execute his duties. You can disagree in private, in boardrooms, in Cabinet meetings but when you come out you do a united front," he said.

"The role of a DP can never be to outshine his master, and that's the rule of the game."

Almost five months as Kenya's DP, Kindiki has been censured for being of a subservient nature under President Ruto.

For a position that demands an optimum level of politics and public engagement, Kindiki seemed discomfited as he had to play the role of his crown upon taking office. 

Since joining President Ruto's Cabinet in 2022, he has worn a cloak of sanity, one that espoused a stark disdain for noisy and nosy politics. He had manned the Interior Ministry as an equilibrist.

And so he has remained for the past few years even upon taking his new role as Kenya's second-in-command in October after Rigathi Gachagua was impeached.

He found his voice as 2025 kicked off, fully wearing the “defender-in-chief” role, censuring those going after President Ruto’s administration.

After resurfacing from his silent stint, he went after his predecessor’s jugular, condemning how he heckled leaders in Embu during a political event.

He has fiercely challenged Gachagua over his accusations against Ruto's administration, urging him to remain mum and exhibit astute leadership.