NAIROBI, Kenya – Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has left the country for Maputo, Mozambique.
The second in command is in the South African nation, where he will represent Kenya at the inauguration of President-elect Daniel Francisco Chapo.
“Deputy President @KindikiKithure departs for Maputo to represent Kenya at the inauguration of President-Elect Daniel Francisco Chapo, Republic of Mozambique,” reads a statement from his office.
In a poll that opposition leaders, election observers, and the general public claimed was manipulated, 48-year-old Daniel Chapo received 65% of the vote.
The result set off a series of protests, some nonviolent but others violent, which resulted in mayhem involving murders and damage.
The greatest adversary of Chapo is Venâncio Mondlane. He came back from his self-imposed exile last week. He claims to have survived an assassination attempt while he was in South Africa.
He is now urging Mozambicans to go out on the streets “against the thieves of the people” on the day of his inauguration.
Mozambique’s leading opposition parties—Renamo and MDM—say they are boycotting Wednesday’s swearing-in ceremony because they do not recognise Chapo as the rightful winner.
Even those in Mozambique who wish the president-elect well openly question his legitimacy.
Who is Daniel Francisco Chapo
Chapo, the sixth of 10 siblings, was born on January 6, 1977, in Inhaminga, Sofala province.
His family was compelled to relocate to a different adjacent district during the civil war that raged in Mozambique during these years.
Eduardo Mondlane University awarded him a law degree after he completed secondary school in the seaside city of Beira, and the Catholic University of Mozambique awarded him a master’s degree in development management.
He is currently married to Gueta Sulemane Chapo, with whom he has three kids. Chapo is reportedly a devout Christian who loves football and basketball.
Many of his coworkers, both past and present, describe Chapo as modest, diligent, and a patient leader.
This is not the first time DP Kindiki has left the country to represent Kenya in such an event.
Why Kithure Kindiki flew to Botswana
In November 2024, DP Kindiki left the country for Gaborone, Botswana, where he represented President William Ruto in the swearing-in ceremony of Botswana President Duma Boko.
“Left the country this morning for Gaborone, Botswana, to represent President William Ruto at the swearing-in and inauguration ceremony of His Excellency Duma Boko as President of the Republic of Botswana,” Kindiki remarked.
The deputy president was accompanied by Isiolo senator Fatuma Dullo and her Migori counterpart Eddy Oketch.
Other leaders who accompanied Kindiki include MPs Owen Baya (Kilifi North), Vincent Musyoka (Mwala), John Njuguna Kawanjiku (Kiambaa), Victor Koech (Chepalungu), and Elisha Odhiambo (Gem).
The deputy president left the country moments after he took up his new office at Harambee House, Nairobi.
