Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has fired an early political warning ahead of the 2027 General Election, telling opposition leaders to prepare for a tough contest as he vowed to confront what he described as years of lies directed at the Ruto administration.
Kindiki said President William Ruto and his administration are ready to face their political rivals at the ballot and defend their bid for a second term, insisting that the opposition would be forced to answer for its claims against the government.
“President Ruto and I are fully prepared to face wananchi and ask them to vote for us again for the second term. We are ready. We will not come with arrogance demanding your vote as if it is our right like what our opponents who are forcing and threatening you to vote for them. They will be shocked,” DP said.
He spoke on Saturday at Kinoru Stadium in Meru town, where he addressed more than 40,000 grassroots leaders, opinion shapers, village elders and Community Health Promoters from Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Kirinyaga, Kitui and Isiolo.
Elected leaders, former councillors, MCAs and thousands of residents from the six counties also attended the gathering.
Kindiki said the government was now ready to challenge opposition leaders over claims he said had been made against the administration during the past four years.
He accused his political opponents of spending their time attacking the government while the administration remained focused on its work.
“Our opponents have been all over lying to Kenyans the last four years because they have been idle and with nothing to do. All the time, we have been busy at work, employing teachers, ensuring agriculture reforms, better roads, improved health care but we are now ready to face them eye to eye, face to face and expose them in the broad daylight,” DP added.
Kindiki said the opposition would have to face the government directly in the coming political contest, saying voters would ultimately determine which side had offered a better direction for the country.
He also accused some of his opponents of relying on insults and personal attacks instead of presenting Kenyans with a clear political agenda.
“What will distinguish us from them is the massive development we have done in just four years. Most of them have been in power before, some for decades, but they did absolutely nothing but are now out trying to lecture us. The voters will expose you,” DP warned them.
The Deputy President further criticised politicians he said were attempting to build their political identities around nicknames rather than substantive issues.
“Some are attempting to claim some fame because they came up with some nicknames for the opponents and they are running around selling that as their only agenda.”
Kindiki Challenges Opposition to Face Voters
Kindiki said the political contest ahead would provide an opportunity for Kenyans to assess the competing sides and decide who deserved their support.
He said Ruto and his team would not approach voters as though their re-election was guaranteed, but would instead ask for another mandate.
“President Ruto and I are fully prepared to face wananchi and ask them to vote for us again for the second term. We are ready. We will not come with arrogance demanding your vote as if it is our right like what our opponents who are forcing and threatening you to vote for them. They will be shocked,” DP said.
Kindiki said the government would continue engaging voters as the 2027 election approaches, while challenging the opposition to explain its own plans for the country.
He said the opposition’s political attacks would be met with a direct response from the administration as the country moves closer to the election.
The Deputy President said the government was not afraid of facing its critics and would use the campaign period to put the competing political messages before voters.
He said the opposition should not expect an easy political ride as the election approaches.
Kindiki's remarks came as political activity in the Mt. Kenya region continues to gather pace ahead of the 2027 election.
The Kinoru meeting also brought together leaders from Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Kirinyaga, Kitui and Isiolo, with several speakers expressing support for Ruto and Kindiki.
The gathering unanimously ratified a declaration made by Mt. Kenya East elders at Nembure Grounds the previous Saturday, endorsing Ruto’s re-election in 2027 and Kindiki as his running mate.
The meeting also reiterated that Kindiki is the undisputed leader of the Mt. Kenya region and called on elders from Mt. Kenya East to reach out to their counterparts in Mt. Kenya West in a bid to promote unity.
Kindiki gave his support to the efforts, saying the region should not be divided.
Leaders attending the meeting also pledged their support for the administration ahead of the 2027 election.
“We will support this government in 2027 and Prof. Kindiki in 2032 because we have seen what they have done for us. Together with the thousands of foot soldiers here, we will shame those insulting us,” Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi said.
Water Cabinet Secretary Eric Murithi said they would fully back Ruto and Kindiki in 2027 and beyond.
Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki and Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma also pledged their support for the two leaders.
“We have supported leaders from Mt. Kenya West for many years. We never insulted them. This time around we must support Prof. Kindiki,” she said.
“We are not children of a lesser father. We can also lead and we ask our brothers and sisters to support us,” said Governor Mutuma.
Governor Njuki noted: “We must support the President and Deputy President in 2027 and after that we continue to back the Deputy President in 2032.”