Deputy President Kithure Kindiki appears to be recalibrating his political tone, stepping back from months of public confrontation with his predecessor Rigathi Gachagua amid shifting alliances and rising uncertainty within the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Since his appointment in 2024, Kindiki had frequently traded barbs with Gachagua, now leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party, in a rivalry over the control of the vote rich Mt Kenya region.
However, the DP’s latest remarks signal a notable shift that insiders interpret as both strategic restraint and political caution.
Speaking during an inspection tour of Kianjai Market in Tigania West constituency on Tuesday, Kindiki struck a conciliatory tone, declaring that he had forgiven Gachagua and his rivals after months of public exchanges and criticism.
“I do not have any problem with my brothers, who are also leaders. Because I am an elder in this region and a leader, I understand that there is today and tomorrow and that after leadership, we will still remain here as one family,” he said.
“Even those who are insulting me, I have forgiven unconditionally.”
Kindiki anchored his remarks on his role as an elder within the Njuri Ncheke, saying the cultural expectations of the council demand restraint, unity, and respect among leaders.
He added that he would no longer engage in public spats, insisting that leaders visiting the region should be allowed to express themselves freely without intimidation. He said this just a day after Gachagua also cautioned residents against heckling President William Ruto during his tours of the region so that they can benefit from government projects.
The softer tone by Kindiki, however, comes against a backdrop of intensifying political manoeuvring that could redefine the 2027 succession matrix.
Gachagua at the weekend also warned Kindiki to tread carefully, cautioning that he risks being politically outflanked by President Ruto.
According to Gachagua, the President has already struck a political deal with ODM, a move he claims could see the deputy presidency handed to the Orange party in the 2027 coalition arrangement.
Gachagua said the alleged deal is a betrayal similar to his own fallout with Ruto, arguing that Mt Kenya risks losing influence at the centre of power if such an arrangement materialises.
Kindiki has not publicly responded to these claims. However, his decision to dial down confrontations is being read by analysts as an attempt to avoid deepening political isolation at a time when the ground beneath the Kenya Kwanza coalition appears increasingly fluid.\
The uncertainty has been further amplified by signals from ODM, which has made clear it is angling for a more influential role within any future political formation.
Party national chairperson Gladys Wanga recently underscored the party’s ambitions, stating that ODM cannot remain in government without wielding real power.
Echoing party leader Senator Oburu Oginga’s remarks, Wanga insisted that any broad-based arrangement must be anchored on equity and shared authority, remarks widely interpreted as a push for senior positions in a possible 2027 coalition.
“We cannot be in government and remain powerless,” Wanga said, reinforcing the party’s demand for a substantive stake in governance.
These developments place Kindiki in a delicate balancing act—caught between consolidating his position within government, managing regional expectations in Mt Kenya East, and navigating an evolving national political landscape where alliances are increasingly shifting.
His retreat from open confrontation with Gachagua may, therefore, reflect more than personal restraint. It points to a broader strategy aimed at preserving political capital as succession politics begin to take shape.
A source in government told The Brief that Kindiki is projecting the image of a leader and unifier, so that the administration can shift focus to the development conversation, which has been affected by the recent escalations of war of words between the two political camps.
“We have realised if we continue in that line, we will lose focus. So you will also soon see the President de-escalating and more focus shifting back to development because delivering on promises will be a key factor in 2027 elections,” the source said.
He even so, with the recent push by Coast ODM politicians pushing for the DP post, high-stakes contest over power, positioning, and survival within Kenya Kwanza coalition is already showing early signs of strain ahead of 2027.
