Kindiki is respectful and hardworking, pleased to have him as DP - President Ruto

President William Ruto has praised his deputy, Prof. Kithure Kindiki, for being hardworking and steadfast in the pursuit of national development and unity of the nation.

The President on Friday said Prof. Kindiki is a focused, respectful and development-minded leader who has played a great role in faster realisation of the government's agenda.

"I'm grateful you allowed Prof. Kindiki to come work with me in serving the nation. He is respectful, hardworking, and orderly,” he said.

“The Deputy President is not a DP of Tharaka Nithi nor Mt Kenya nor some section of this country. He is a Deputy of the whole country, he is assisting me serve all Kenyans."

The Head of State spoke in Gatunga, Tharaka Nithi County, where he inspected the government-funded Gatunga Modern Market which is near completion.

The market will provide decent business environment for small-scale traders and mama mboga. Earlier, he opened the Tharaka Nithi University Tuition Complex.

The President said that the DP is not given to cheap talk and divisive rhetoric, but is unifying and visionary.

"Our mission is to serve all Kenyans and unite all communities. We are getting rid of tribal animosity and hatred for the good of the nation. With a DP like Prof. Kindiki, my work as President has been made easier and delivery of our agenda will be faster," he added.

The Deputy President said he is honoured by the President's decision to pick him as his principal assistant, promising to work harder to ensure government's agenda is hastily implemented.

"I have been honoured by the President's decision to pick me as his Deputy. I will make sure the work he has assigned me is delivered and nation’s development agenda is achieved as scheduled," said Prof. Kindiki.

He said his role is assisting the President in ensuring all projects and programmes improve the lives of Kenyans.

"I'll be keenly following up on presidential directives across the country and all development projects are being implemented as planned. As I do that, I'll keep a close eye on all the development projects here at home in Tharaka and Mt Kenya region," he added.

Prof. Kindiki thanked the President for being a true friend to the people of his backyard Tharaka Nithi County and the larger Mt. Kenya region.

"The friendship between the President and the people of Tharaka Nithi, Meru and Mt. Kenya dates many years back. It didn’t start yesterday. It's started when President was Minister, then Deputy President and now President. It will exist for a long time," he said.