Gachagua claims president Ruto is putting pressure on Deputy President Kindiki

By Deborah Were

Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has claimed that President William Ruto is behind efforts to put political pressure on Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, saying his successor is “suffering” in office.

Speaking during a media roundtable on Sunday, Gachagua alleged that Kindiki is going through a difficult period in government but cannot speak out publicly because of his position as Deputy President.

“Our son from Tharaka is suffering. I know what he is going through because I went through the same,” Gachagua claimed.

The former Deputy President, who was impeached in October 2024 and replaced by Kindiki, alleged that President Ruto is deliberately frustrating his successor to push him to resign.

“Ruto is the one making him suffer. Ruto has told them until Kindiki gets angry and resigns,” Gachagua claimed, without providing evidence to support the allegations.

Gachagua drew parallels between Kindiki’s current situation and his own experience as Deputy President, where he repeatedly complained of being sidelined, isolated and undermined by allies of the President before his eventual impeachment. Gachagua has consistently accused President Ruto of orchestrating his removal from office, claims the President and his allies have denied.

The DCP leader also came to Kindiki’s defense over his silence on recent controversial remarks by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale. Duale has faced criticism for challenging government officials to speak out.

According to Gachagua, Kindiki cannot openly criticize a fellow Cabinet member while still serving in government.

He argued that as Deputy President, Kindiki is bound by collective responsibility and cannot be seen to publicly contradict or rebuke a Cabinet Secretary who serves at the pleasure of the President.

The remarks come at a time of heightened political activity in the country, with Gachagua positioning himself as a key opposition figure in the Mt. Kenya region and nationally through his new DCP party. Since his ouster, he has been holding a series of media engagements, church services and rallies, accusing the Kenya Kwanza administration of betraying the Mt. Kenya voting bloc that overwhelmingly supported President Ruto in the 2022 General Election.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who previously served as Interior Cabinet Secretary, has maintained a low political profile since assuming office, focusing on development and governance issues and largely avoiding direct political confrontations.

Neither President Ruto nor Deputy President Kindiki had responded to Gachagua’s latest claims by the time of publishing this article. State House has previously dismissed similar allegations by Gachagua as political propaganda aimed at gaining sympathy and relevance ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Political analysts say Gachagua’s continued attacks on the Presidency are aimed at solidifying his support base in Mt. Kenya and presenting himself as an alternative voice for the region, even as Kindiki seeks to consolidate his own influence as the region’s highest-ranking official in government.