That the stature of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has grown since assuming office is beyond doubt.
With state resources at his disposal, he commands respect, hosts delegations by the dozen, and has become a towering figure in Kenya’s political landscape.
But behind the scenes, whispers tell a different story.
Sources close to President William Ruto insist Kindiki is only a placeholder. In their script for 2027, his replacement could be whoever is picked by Raila Odinga—if all goes according to plan.
In that deal, Kindiki would be relegated to a so-called “Prime Minister” role, effectively the Prime Cabinet Secretary, currently held by Musalia Mudavadi.
Yet, the re-entry of Uhuru Kenyatta into politics—combined with the meteoric rise of Rigathi Gachagua’s DCP Party—has left Kindiki between a rock and a hard place.