NAIROBI, Kenya — Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has escalated his political exchange with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, shifting the focus from personal jabs over his voice to what he described as Gachagua’s record in government and his contribution to Kenya Kwanza politics.
The latest confrontation came after Gachagua mocked Kindiki as “Soprano” and described him as a deputy president who had achieved little. Kindiki responded on social media on Sunday, saying the remarks showed a lack of substantive arguments on politics, policy and leadership.
“Talking about my voice is the only contribution your emptiness and incompetence can make in matters politics, policy and leadership,” Kindiki said.
Rather than dwell on the remarks about his voice, Kindiki turned his response into an attack on Gachagua’s political conduct while serving as Mathira MP and later as Deputy President.
He accused Gachagua of forcing his way into the 2022 presidential ticket as President William Ruto’s running mate, alleging that demonstrations were organised in Mathira to pressure the party leadership.
Kindiki further blamed Gachagua’s conduct for strained relations within the Kenya Kwanza administration and with leaders from the wider Mt Kenya region.
The Deputy President also rejected Gachagua’s claims surrounding the government’s efforts to tackle the alcohol problem, particularly during Kindiki’s tenure as Interior Cabinet Secretary.
Kindiki said he remained focused on security and did not allow politics to interfere with his responsibilities.
“As Interior Minister during the two years of your colourless tenure, I never involved myself in politics even for a day,” he said.
He accused Gachagua of concentrating on hotels and land acquisitions while he was Deputy President, as well as mobilising Kenyans against the same administration in which he served.
“I was focused on protecting Kenya from bandits, terrorists and criminals as you were building hotels, acquiring land and inciting people against the same Government that you were serving as Deputy President,” Kindiki said.
Kindiki also claimed that he privately advised Gachagua to repair his relationship with President Ruto and other senior officials before the relationship deteriorated further.
He said the advice was ignored and accused his predecessor of attempting to undermine an administration they had jointly helped establish.
Recent remarks by Kindiki have added to an increasingly personal political confrontation between the two former colleagues. Kindiki has previously said he held private meetings with Gachagua before his impeachment and advised him to maintain a good working relationship with President Ruto.
The Deputy President maintained that Kenya Kwanza’s agenda continued despite Gachagua’s departure from government.
He pointed to infrastructure, markets, electricity and agricultural commodity prices as some of the issues the administration continues to pursue.
The response comes as Gachagua intensifies his criticism of President Ruto and Kindiki, with the former Deputy President increasingly positioning himself as an opposition voice ahead of the 2027 General Election. He recently accused Ruto and Kindiki of attempting to divide the Mt Kenya region.
Despite being mocked over his voice, Kindiki said he would not respond by attacking Gachagua’s physical appearance.
“You can mock my voice all you want. But I won’t stoop to your lowly level by trying to respond or by discussing your not so great anatomy,” he said.
The latest exchange deepens a political rivalry between two men who were once part of the same administration but now occupy opposing sides of an increasingly competitive political landscape.
With the 2027 elections approaching, their increasingly sharp exchanges are also placing the political future of the Mt Kenya region and its relationship with the Ruto administration under renewed scrutiny.
