The 100-day heavy cloak: Prof. Kithure Kindiki’s tenure as Kenya’s DP

When Prof. Kithure Kindiki joined President William Ruto's Cabinet in 2022 he wore 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.

For a position that demands an optimum level of politicking and public engagement, Kindiki seemed discomfited as he had to play the role of his crown. An arduous task that needed him to shed his composed skin and adapt to State customs.

His silence was notable as 2024 approached its end as he remained absent from several high-profile public events, forcing a section of Kenyans online to question his whereabouts as some remained hopeful that he was the man to bring calm at the nation's helm.

He resurfaced on January 4, 2025 at a wedding in Tigoni, dismissing speculation about a potential fallout with President Ruto, insisting that his absence was due to a short holiday.

Two days later, he made his first joint public appearance with Ruto, where he saw off the Head of State as he headed to Ghana to attend President-elect John Dramani Mahama's swearing-in ceremony.

The adroit lawyer maintained his collected nature addressing public gatherings with aplomb, seemingly staying put and not willing to indulge in the murky world of politics.

As 2025 kicked off, Kindiki has fully worn 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.

Gachagua had called out leaders for their silence on the spiking abductions, a move that invoked Kindiki’s swift rebuttal.

Kindiki accused Gachagua of incitement and warned him against propagating division, leaving many dazed on his brazen political move.

Weeks later he affirmed his loyalty to President Ruto, telling off critics urging him to challenge his boss on unpopular policies.

While meeting a delegation from Tharaka Nithi County in Nairobi, Kindiki said a government official cannot “sabotage” the administration they are serving.

“Those telling me to oppose the President like other people are wrong. Maybe they are looking for the wrong person, not me!” he said.

He further defended Ruto’s administration, claiming the Head of State has done much more since his 2022 election than former President Mwai Kibaki did in his first five-year term between 2002 and 2007.

The DP further, on January 31, took on Gachagua in his Nyeri backyard asking him to stop politicking to pave the way for development in the Mt. Kenya region.

Kindiki, the only man from the presidency to set foot in Gachagua's home county since his impeachment, told the former DP to cease his political brawl with the State.

“For now, the government is focused on solving matters affecting Kenyans. We don't have time for quarrels and fights,” he said.

On February 3, he urged critics to assess Ruto's administration fairly, claiming that the government has made significant progress in its first two years in office.

He urged detractors to give the government time to carry out its plans rather than engaging in endless political debates.

“Between one election and another, we have work to do. Countries that have delivered development to their people understand that politics cannot be played forever. 

Launch here, promise there

In his short stint as Kenya’s second-in-command, Kindiki has manned the launch of a myriad of government projects among them electricity connections, job opportunities and a road project.

While launching an electrification project in Nyeri, he announced that the government is set to connect more than one million customers to the national grid in the next 20 months.

While also inspecting the construction of roads in the same county, he announced that stalled roads will be revived and completed after the government allocated funds for their construction.

On top of roads, Kindiki added, the government is also expanding water projects, economic stimulus markets, the last-mile electricity connection, and creation of jobs through Kazi kwa Ground, Kazi Mtandaoni and Kazi Majuu programs.

"The economy is now flourishing. Now it's time for development and bettering the lives of Kenyans,” he noted.

As a fully-fledged politicker, he has also hopped on the boat of making questionable promises to Kenyans among them that global luxury brand Gucci is eyeing to set up shop in Kenya.

(Gucci had not made any official confirmation to Kindiki’s statement at press time)

He said this during a meeting with Isiolo leader at his official residence in Karen, intimating that over 300 companies have shown strong interest in establishing operations at the Kenanie Leather Industrial Park in Mavoko, Machakos County.

Kindiki believed that the park's completion could increase the leather sector's contribution to the national economy from Ksh.10 billion to Ksh.150 billion annually.

Meanwhile, Gachagua, since his ouster, has been on an onslaught to call out the Kenya Kwanza administration alongside his allies among them Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga.

Gachagua has recently joined opposition politicians Kalonzo Musyoka and Eugene Wamalwa.

He has also hinted at an alliance with NARC Kenya leader Martha Karua.

For Kindiki, performance is of more importance than politicking but after his brazen entry into the murky political waters, the question remains is he still moving with stealth, carefully launching ammunition at his political prey or has he evolved to simply doing what the "Romans" do?