Kindiki says he’ll submit to former competitor DP Gachagua

A bid to become President William Ruto’s running mate in the August 2022 General Elections has come to haunt Interior Cabinet Secretary Nominee Prof. Kithure Kindiki.

In May 2022 Kindiki was among the top candidates competing to be Ruto’s running mates. Incumbent Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua defeated him, and was unveiled as Ruto’s running mate.

During his vetting in Parliament on Tuesday, Kindiki was asked whether he would submit Gachagua, who was his competitor but has now become his boss.

“In the run up to the previous elections, you were one of those that were vying to be a running mate in the Kenya Kwanza coalition. And you really fought hard up to the last minute when a decision was taken that was not in your favour,” said Kathiani MP Robert Mbui

“Have you recovered from that shock and are you going to be comfortable working under your competitor who is now the Deputy President?” the MP asked Kindiki during the vetting exercise.

In his response, Kindiki argued that he did not fight hard to be Ruto’s running mate as stated by the MP.

“It is not true that I fought so hard to be a running mate. What is true is that I was fortunate to be on the shortlist of 6 members of my party who were being considered to be running mates for President William Ruto,” Kindiki said.

The CS nominee acknowledged that Gachagua emerged winner in the contest, and he was the second runners up.

 “There was no shock because there was no entitlement to anything. You can only get shocked if you are entitled to something,” Kindiki told the Parliamentary committee.

He added that the previous Deputy Presidential bid would not hinder him from being submissive to his former competitor – Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

“I have no problem submitting to authority, that is the easiest thing. My friend Rigathi Gachagua is my boss and I have no problem working with him and under him together with President William Ruto,” he said.

Kindiki also clarified that he had chosen to go on a 10-year break after missing out on the running mate position, but was persuaded by his party to take up a government appointment.