Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has issued a stern warning that Kenya risks political and economic instability if opposition leaders are given the reins of government. Speaking on Monday during a joint UDA and ODM parliamentary group meeting, Kindiki argued that managing state affairs is a complex task that requires wisdom, foresight, and experience.
“There is a lot of excitement by many people who are in the political space, and they think leading the country or managing the country’s affairs is a small issue,” Kindiki said. “Some of the characters running up and down, if they are given this nation to manage even for a day, the country will sink because they don’t have enough wisdom and enough foresight to be able to manage the complex society that is Kenya.”
The Deputy President emphasized that Kenya’s stability and progress have been anchored on visionary leadership, pointing to President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as exemplars. He praised their ability to balance competing interests in the country’s diverse society and highlighted their commitment to the nation’s long-term development.
Kindiki urged younger politicians to draw lessons from both leaders, stressing that personal ambitions should never overshadow national interests. “We are in a good space, and for that, we must celebrate and acknowledge the visionary leadership of President William Ruto and statesmanship of our elder brother, the Honorable Raila Odinga,” he said.
He further thanked Odinga for mentoring emerging leaders on the importance of prioritizing the collective good over individual political gains. “Prime Minister, we appreciate your leadership, your vision, and you’ve been able to show us, those of us who are younger politicians, that elections and politics should not undermine the collective interest, stability, and progress of our nation,” Kindiki added.
The DP’s remarks come amid growing political contestation as Kenya approaches the next election cycle. His comments underline the ruling party’s narrative that opposition leaders are ill-prepared to manage the complexities of governance and emphasize the importance of experience and strategic foresight in sustaining national stability.
Kindiki’s statements are likely to fuel further debate among politicians and the electorate over the competence and readiness of opposition leaders to govern, framing the discussion around leadership, vision, and the country’s long-term progress.
