A group of political leaders from the Mt Kenya region has pushed back against suggestions that the Deputy President’s position could be subject to negotiation in potential coalition talks, declaring the seat firmly off-limits.
Speaking at a community-based organisations (CBOs) empowerment event in Katheri East, Imenti Central, Meru County, Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki said the region remains solidly behind Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and will not entertain attempts to renegotiate his position.
“The Deputy President’s seat should be off the table completely. There is no tangible reason why it should be targeted,” Njuki said.
Njuki was joined by Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri, Igembe South MP John Paul Mwirigi, Imenti Central MP Kirima Ngushine, Tigania West MP John Mutunga, and Nominated MP Dorothy Muthoni.
The leaders were responding to remarks from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) suggesting that the Deputy President’s office could feature in anticipated political realignments.
Governor Njuki dismissed claims that there is a vacancy in the office, stating that it is already occupied by “an able leader who has served President William Ruto diligently.” He warned that disregarding Mt Kenya’s political weight in coalition negotiations would be a serious miscalculation.
“Why should Mt Kenya be seen as the enemy of this government yet it voted overwhelmingly for it?” Njuki posed.
He further argued that if ODM insists on pursuing the position in negotiations, then the ruling coalition might as well “donate” Kindiki to ODM ,but retain him as Deputy President, underscoring that his seat remains non-negotiable.
The leaders cautioned against what they described as premature political manoeuvres that could destabilise the country’s constitutional order and heighten tensions.
Addressing residents at the empowerment event organised by Dorothy Muthoni, Kiunjuri warned against internal divisions within the Mt Kenya bloc, saying fragmentation along ethnic lines would weaken the region politically.
“Once Ameru, Embu and Kikuyu accept to be divided along tribal lines, we will be finished one by one,” he said.
The leaders defended President Ruto’s development record, citing ongoing infrastructure upgrades, the revival of stalled road projects, expanded electricity connectivity, water initiatives, and housing programmes.
They accused opposition figures, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, of misleading residents and attempting to drive a wedge between the region and the government.
“There is no vote for Ruto and a separate vote for Kindiki. It is tied. If one goes, the other goes,” Kiunjuri added.
Tigania West MP John Mutunga said the administration’s bottom-up economic model is already delivering tangible results through grassroots empowerment.
“Good leaders are ready to empower the people and listen to their needs,” he said.
Dorothy Muthoni urged Mt Kenya leaders to speak with one voice and avoid divisive politics, describing Kindiki as a unifying figure focused on development.
“We are ready for any type of coalition, but the Deputy President Kindiki’s seat is a no-go zone. We will defend it by all means,” she said.
The leaders maintained that President Ruto and his deputy remain politically aligned and that attempts to separate their mandates would not succeed.
