Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Thursday, August 6, publicly detailed the circumstances that led to his political fallout with former Deputy President and DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua, revealing that their differences stemmed from a push to exit government following disagreements with President William Ruto.
Speaking during an engagement with grassroots women leaders in Meru County, Kindiki said he declined Gachagua’s proposal to abandon the administration, arguing that doing so would have undermined the mandate given by voters.
“I was the Interior CS, yet I never looked down upon Gachagua when he was the Deputy President. I was busy fighting bandits and Al Shabaab,” Kindiki told the gathering, referencing his tenure in the Interior Ministry.
He added: “I want to announce here today that Gachagua and I fell out when he told me that because he had disagreed with his boss, William Ruto, I should join him in leaving the government.”
According to Kindiki, he rejected the proposal, maintaining that internal disagreements should be resolved from within government structures rather than through exit.
“I told him no, and that the government belonged to us. I told him that even if we had issues, we should stay and resolve them because if we left, others who didn’t vote for us would come and take over the progress we made,” he said.
Kindiki framed his decision as one guided by public interest, emphasizing continuity in development and service delivery.
“This seat was not for an individual, but a community and all Kenyans. I decided to take it up so that our people can get roads, electricity, and water from this government,” he stated.
In remarks that appeared to contrast his current position with Gachagua’s political path, Kindiki also referenced the structure of leadership within government, suggesting proximity to executive power.
“Where we are now, we are only one seat away from the Presidency. On the other side, the first, second and third positions in government have been taken, and my brother is just looking for votes for others,” he said.