Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has dismissed growing political speculation over President William Ruto’s 2027 running mate, insisting that Deputy President Kithure Kindiki remains firmly in place.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV on Monday, July 27, Ruku said there is no vacancy in the deputy president’s office and ruled out any possibility of a change ahead of the next General Election.
“There is no room for such a scenario because the seat of the DP is not vacant. President Ruto has come out strongly to declare his confidence in his deputy. From where I sit, the DP is Kindiki, and he will not be replaced,” Ruku stated.
His remarks come amid heightened political lobbying and regional pressure, with leaders from different parts of the country angling for the influential slot as early succession dynamics begin to take shape.
Ruku, however, downplayed the ongoing debate, framing it as premature political noise that does not reflect the current position within government.
He maintained that President Ruto has already made his stance clear by publicly backing Kindiki.
The CS also issued a sharp warning to critics who have questioned Kindiki’s political standing, suggesting that perceptions could shift significantly as the political cycle progresses.
“Those who are looking down upon Kindiki, a time is coming when they will try to look for an opportunity to shake the hands of Kindiki, and they will not get that opportunity,” he added.
Kindiki, who assumed office as Deputy President in 2024, has been viewed as a key pillar within the Kenya Kwanza administration.
His incumbency and proximity to the president have placed him at the center of early projections for the 2027 ticket.
Despite this, political analysts note that deputy president selections in Kenya often involve strategic considerations, including regional balance and coalition negotiations.
Western Kenya leaders, in particular, have intensified calls for inclusion in the top leadership, potentially complicating the equation.