Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, alongside National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa, led a Kenya Kwanza delegation on a two-day political tour in Ukambani, targeting former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s divisive politics. Addressing residents in Machakos, Kitui, and Makueni counties, Kindiki urged the public to reject Gachagua’s narrative, branding him as a leader who promotes division instead of unity and development.
Kindiki emphasized the government’s commitment to the bottom-up economic agenda, which focuses on grassroots development rather than premature political bickering. He called on the youth to be wary of leaders driven by personal ambition rather than the country’s collective progress.
“Leaders driven by personal interests have no place in our development journey,” Kindiki said during engagements with women’s groups across the region. He reminded the public of the difficult economic conditions Kenya faced when President William Ruto took office. Kindiki highlighted the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2021, which saw businesses shut down, public transport halted, and widespread economic inactivity.
“It was the corona pandemic that caused the economic damage, not any failure of government leadership,” he asserted, countering the narrative pushed by some opposition figures.
Ichung’wa echoed these sentiments, accusing Gachagua of being unsettled by recent efforts by Members of Parliament to unite and support vulnerable communities. He challenged the former deputy president to provide a clear political vision instead of engaging in baseless criticism.
“Gachagua should present a positive political direction rather than just criticizing others,” Ichung’wa remarked. He also invoked President Ruto’s promise of “work without brakes” and called on the people of Machakos to judge the government’s performance under this mandate.
The Kenya Kwanza leaders further dismissed Kalonzo Musyoka’s political maneuvering, labeling him a false strategist in need of a serious platform to advance his ambitions.
This Ukambani tour marks another chapter in the ongoing political tussle within Kenya’s ruling coalition, as leaders strive to consolidate support ahead of future elections. The Kenya Kwanza coalition continues to stress development and economic recovery as their core message, pushing back against what they describe as divisive political tactics by former allies.
