NAIROBI, Kenya – Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has dismissed growing political speculation over the Deputy President’s position, warning ODM leaders to stop treating the office as though it were vacant.
Speaking in Ontulili, Buuri Constituency, Meru County, on Friday, Ruku defended Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, saying the country’s second-highest office deserves respect and should not be subjected to public political bargaining.
The Cabinet Secretary took issue with Cooperative Development Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya and other Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders, accusing them of fuelling unnecessary debate over the Deputy President’s position.
“The office of the Deputy President is occupied. It is wrong for leaders to continue discussing it as though it were vacant. Such conversations amount to disrespect to the Deputy President and the institution he serves,” Ruku said.
Ruku maintained that Kindiki remains President William Ruto’s preferred running mate for the 2027 General Election, dismissing claims that Kenya Kwanza could field a different deputy presidential candidate.
He urged ODM leaders to channel their political negotiations towards other positions that could emerge through coalition talks instead of creating the impression that the Deputy President’s office is available.
According to Ruku, coalition politics allows room for negotiations, but such discussions should be conducted without undermining leaders currently serving in constitutional offices.
“It is acceptable for political parties to negotiate for positions, but not in the manner some ODM leaders are doing by creating the impression that the Deputy President’s office is up for grabs,” he said.
The CS further argued that the Western region already occupies key positions in government, including the offices of the Prime Cabinet Secretary and the Speaker of the National Assembly, adding that the Mt Kenya region would resist any attempts to sideline it in political arrangements ahead of the 2027 elections.
He declared that Mt Kenya leaders would back the Ruto-Kindiki ticket in the next General Election before supporting Kindiki’s presidential bid in 2032.
“The Mt Kenya region will firmly stand behind the Ruto-Kindiki ticket in 2027. Thereafter, we shall rally behind Prof. Kindiki for the presidency in 2032,” Ruku stated.
Ruku also criticised former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of orchestrating political campaigns aimed at weakening President Ruto’s administration.
He claimed previous attempts by some Mt Kenya leaders to undermine former President Daniel arap Moi had failed and predicted that similar efforts against President Ruto would not succeed.
The Cabinet Secretary reaffirmed that the Kenya Kwanza administration remained united and focused on delivering its development agenda ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Ruku was accompanied by Buuri MP Mugambi Rindikiri, Chuka Igamba Ng’ombe MP Patrick Munene and Taveta MP John Bwire, who also endorsed President Ruto and Deputy President Kindiki for a second term in 2027.
