President William Ruto is boasting of a cordial relationship with his deputy Kithure Kindiki, whom he terms as supportive and keen on delivering government agenda.
Speaking at Meru National Park during the Human-Wildlife Conflict Compensation funds launch, Ruto lauded his current deputy, who he appointed after a fallout with 2022 running mate Rigathi Gachagua.
“Professor knows that he is not for the Meru people alone, he is for every Kenyan,” Ruto told the crowd, seemingly rebuking his first deputy Rigathi Gachagua.
Ruto touted Kindiki as the best deputy president, pitting him to be calm, composed, supportive, understanding and a better performer than Gachagua.
“I’m very proud to have a deputy who understands government and what we are doing in infrastructure, education and agriculture and is supportive to the ministers and myself to make sure Kenya is going forward”, said Ruto.
After the impeachment of Gachagua, Ruto told journalists that his running mate failed to support his agendas, was quick to anger and would pick fights with his confidantes and aides.
“Now at his stature as my deputy at the time, he was bothered by people in my office and how things were running. Itumbi, for instance, is a blogger. As for Farouk, he is my personal assistant”, stated Pres. Ruto during the pre-Mt. Kenya tour interview held in Sagana State Lodge
Now, Ruto has praised his deputy, touting him as a brilliant individual who is not quick to anger neither is he tribal.
This is unlike his former deputy, whom he described as tribal, accusing him of attempting to divide Kenyans along ethnic lines.
“We have no time for tribalists and people who are incompetent and those who want to divide our nation on ethnic and personal lies. We are united as a people and Kenya is going to march forward as one united, indivisible country that we will all be proud to call home,” Ruto said in January 2025, months after Gachagua’s successful ouster.
