President Ruto wades in on Gachagua-Ndindi-Kindiki Mt. Kenya succession politics

President William Ruto has broken his silence on the heated succession politics presently going on in the Mt. Kenya region that has dragged in some of his allies and the Kenya Kwanza government's top men.

This comes as different sections of leaders from the expansive region want Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua dropped as President Ruto’s running mate in the 2027 General Election, and replaced with either Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro or Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki.

The Head of State, speaking when he officially opened the Gilgil Technical and Vocational College in Nakuru County on Tuesday, condemned the succession talks, stressing that current leaders should instead focus on fulfilling their promises and commitments to Kenyans.

“Let me ask all leaders that we focus our attention on the delivery of the assignment that was given to us by the people of Kenya,” he said.

“Especially leaders in Kenya Kwanza and UDA, I want to ask them to step down any contestations for whatever positions - present or future - so that we can work.”

The President went on to state that he and his deputy Gachagua are ready to mentor relatively younger leaders in his government, but that they should not be in a rush or become too eager to punch above their political weight just yet.

“Rigathi Gachagua and I have a plan, we said that we would give these young leaders mentorship, but they should slow down,” he said.

“So, the younger leaders, we are ready to mentor you, but please do not be in a hurry. Relax. We are different, we are not the type to fight younger leaders, but don’t rush us.”

The President’s remarks sentiments come after different sections of leaders from the Mt. Kenya region seemingly kicked off a campaign to replace Gachagua as his running mate in the next General Election.

One section wants him replaced with Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro, while yet another has now thrown Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki’s name in the ring.

Prof. Kindiki on Tuesday dismissed the 2027 succession politics terming them as 'tactless, anti-people, and primitive'.

The CS, who took to social platform X, demanded that any talk about succession cease, or at the very least, his name be expunged from the debate.

"The ongoing debate ought to stop, but if it must proceed, I respectfully request that my name not be dragged in it," Kindiki wrote.

According to the interior security chief, political talk about the 2027 polls, coming slightly over a year since the last election, is a blemish on Kenyan democracy's maturity.

"President Ruto has assigned me the role of championing his administration’s programs for the transformation of our country into a sustainably safe homeland for this and future generations," he said.

DP Gachagua has also in the recent past insisted that he will not be distracted by the substitution chorus.

“Let me say for the avoidance of doubt, I have only one focus as Gachagua, I am focused on one thing; assisting President William Ruto to succeed...hii ingine wengine wanafuata mambo mengine, mimi siko hapo...hata mpige kelele gani,” he stated last week.