A leader doesn’t have to be popular, but a good leader knows when to be popular - Kindiki

Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki has stressed that true leadership is not about constantly seeking popularity but about making the right decisions for the people, even if they are not always immediately popular.

Speaking during a consultative meeting with Meru County leaders at his Karen residence on Tuesday, Kindiki maintained that a leader’s responsibility is to deliver results and the public will hold them accountable for their actions in office.

“We will all account for the time we have been in the office at the right time. All of us, including those who have served as deputy presidents. You better be heckled right now, but get it right,” said DP Kindiki.

“Pushing development isn’t exciting for many because it is boring; transformative work is not easy, and it is expensive. A leader doesn’t have to be popular, but a good leader knows when to be popular.”

Addressing critics who have suggested that President William Ruto's government may serve only one term, Kindiki emphasized that the focus should be on what is achieved during any term, not its duration.

“Some are telling the President he will be one-term. We are not interested in the length of a term. What we are interested in is what you have done with the term you have served,” he said.

Kindiki also took a moment to address the issue of regional development, warning against tribalizing progress.

He pointed out that former Presidents Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta never based development projects on their ethnic backgrounds and that it is wrong for current leaders to promote policies that benefit only their regions.

“It is wrong and unconstitutional to tribalise development. We must develop every part of the country, including where we come from, because everyone has a place they call home. It is wrong to stand as a leader in a public office and tell everyone you are from this tribe and you are only pushing for the development of your region,” said DP Kindiki.

“Former President Mwai Kibaki oversaw massive development in Mt. Kenya region, but not a single day did he stand and say he was doing so because he came from that area. Neither did we hear former President Uhuru say the development in the region during his term was being done because he was from the region.”

Further, Kindiki highlighted the government's ongoing efforts to stabilize the economy, noting that under President Ruto’s leadership, Kenya’s economic recovery has been significant.

“The economy was in a bad shape when we came in. It has taken the President two years to stabilize it and set it on the right path to recovery. What we are doing now is to build on strengthening the economy to increase incomes for households,” he said.

On the development front, Kindiki assured Meru residents that stalled projects from previous administrations would be revived.

“We will revive all the stalled projects in Meru County. Some of the roads stalled in the first term of former President Uhuru government. Because of economic growth, we are reviving all of them now. We have funds for last mile electricity connection, markets, CAIPs in Meru,” he said.