Deputy President Kithure Kindiki Responds to False Allegations of Disrespect Toward Geoffrey Ruku

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has vehemently denied accusations that he disrespected or lectured his longtime friend and ally, former Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, in a recent statement. In a forceful response, Kindiki labeled the claims as "baseless and malicious" attempts to distort the truth and damage his relationship with Ruku.

The Deputy President’s remarks followed the emergence of a narrative suggesting that he had publicly belittled or criticized Ruku. Kindiki, however, clarified that such claims were completely unfounded and misinterpreted, particularly as he and Ruku share a longstanding and deeply respectful friendship.

"I did not disrespect my brother, Geoffrey Ruku," Kindiki said in a statement issued earlier today. "We have known each other for years, and any suggestion that I would publicly undermine him is not only false but also entirely out of character."

Kindiki went on to explain that his comments had been misinterpreted by some critics. He revealed that he had made the remarks in reference to the conduct of a former Cabinet Secretary from their shared region, as well as other past leaders, to highlight the importance of unity and collective responsibility within government.

"It is crucial to understand the context of what I said," Kindiki continued. "I was referring to the actions of a former Cabinet Secretary, along with other leaders, whose conduct should be scrutinized for the good of the people. My point was about the collective responsibility of those in government, not about any individual’s character or actions."

The Deputy President went on to emphasize the importance of collective governance. "In any government, decisions and policies are made collectively," Kindiki stated. "If you are a member of that government, you are bound by its decisions. If you disagree with them, there are appropriate channels through which to express your concerns, but undermining the administration is not an option for those who have sworn to serve the people."

Kindiki also took the opportunity to address those spreading the misleading narrative, urging them to focus on the substantive issues affecting the nation rather than engage in petty political games. "We have work to do for the people of Kenya. My relationship with Ruku is based on respect and trust, and I will not allow malicious individuals to twist the facts for their own agendas," he asserted.

The Deputy President concluded by reaffirming his commitment to supporting the government’s policies, stating that such actions are in line with his duty to serve the citizens of Kenya to the best of his ability.

"My focus remains on the important work we are doing for the nation," Kindiki said. "Let those who wish to distract us with these falsehoods do so, but we will not be diverted. We will continue to work tirelessly to uplift the lives of Kenyans."

May 12, 2025