Leaders from the Mt Kenya East region have once again come out strongly in defence of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, insisting his position is not open for negotiation amid remarks by ODM’s Oburu Odinga.
Speaking during a church service in Mbeere North attended by the Deputy President, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire and Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, the leaders dismissed suggestions that the deputy presidency could form part of any political bargaining.
Ruku criticised calls from sections of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to include the Deputy President’s seat in anticipated coalition talks.
“You have pushed too far, Oburu. Stop provoking us. This seat is not vacant. It is occupied by Kindiki and we are not ready to give it out,” Ruku said.
He credited Kindiki with helping stabilise the country and supporting President William Ruto’s development agenda.
“When he assumed office, the country was facing uncertainty. Today, we have stability and development programmes are progressing well. Now that things are working, some people are making noise about the deputy seat. We are telling them to forget it,” he added.
Governor Mbarire echoed the sentiments, saying the region would firmly protect what it considers its political stake.
“This seat belongs to Kithure Kindiki and we will stand by him. We will not surrender it. Those interested should look elsewhere, but not the Deputy President’s position,” she said.
The remarks are not the first time leaders from the Mt Kenya region have raised the issue, having previously warned against attempts to drag the Deputy President’s office into early succession politics.
Kindiki, however, sought to tone down the rhetoric, urging leaders to focus on service delivery.
“I and President Ruto are working closely to deliver development and strengthen the economy. There is no cause for alarm. When the appropriate time comes, we will engage our competitors,” he said.
“There is a time to speak and a time to keep quiet. This is time for work. Campaign time will come. For now, let us concentrate on serving Kenyans,” he added.
The response follows remarks by Oburu, who said the Deputy President position would be among the “bare minimums” in ODM’s anticipated pre-election negotiations with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Oburu maintained that ODM would negotiate from a position of strength, insisting the party must secure key positions and policy commitments in any power-sharing arrangement ahead of the next election cycle.
