Even Kibaki’s work showed after 7 years – Kindiki says as he defends Ruto
By Kenneth Mwenda, March 18, 2026Deputy President Kithure Kindiki defended President William Ruto over claims he has failed.
Speaking on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, during a public event in Bomet County, Kindiki said that leadership and national development take time.
“Mimi nataka kusema hivi, kutengeneza uchumi na kutengeneza nchi ni safari. Tupatie rais muda aunde Kenya. Hakuna kiongozi, ata mmoja ati baada ya miaka miwili, miaka mitatu ameanza kupigiwa kelele. Kazi ya rais Kibaki, ilionekana kutoka mwaka wa saba, mwaka wa nane, mwaka wa tisa akiwa mamlakani,” Kindiki said.
He urged critics to be patient and focus on policies rather than personal attacks.
“Badala ya kusema sera yenu, mmetumia muda wenu wote kutukana, kudharau na kudhalilisha Rais wa Taifa la Kenya. Mimi nawauliza hivi, before you start demanding for President Ruto to act presidential, have you treated him in a presidential manner? Mumemwongelesha na kumwonyesha kama rais wa Kenya. Kabla ya muanze kusema ati lazima akae kama rais?” he added.
Kindiki targets political critics
Kindiki also condemned those who constantly demean the Office of the President.
“You cannot demand that President Ruto should be presidential when you have used all your time to insult, to demean, the Office of the President, and the holder of that office. Na mimi nimesema enough is enough. Mimi nimeambia mdosi wangu sasa atulize ball. Awachane hawa watu ni watu wadogo. Awachie fireman, na wale wengine. We will deal with these characters. These are small timers,” he said.
He dismissed the loudest critics as politically insignificant.
“Sisi tumepigana vita kubwa. Hii madharau na Rais Ruto imetoka wapi? Na hawa jamaa, mimi nimeambia mdosi wangu sasa atulize ball. Aniachie hawa watu. Hawa ni watu wadogo kisiasa. Wengine hawajakuwa anything. Wamekuwa tu mbunge one term. Hii one term anaambia watu yeye ndio one term. N hakuna kazi ngine dunia hii amefanya,” Kindiki said.
Kindiki also questioned the double standards in judging Ruto compared to past presidents. He said critics never applied the same scrutiny to previous leaders.
“Mbona hawakuambia Kibaki one term, Mbona hawakuambia Uhuru Kenyatta one term. Yaani kuna rais tumekuwa naye ambaye ni perfect hii dunia? Si rais ni mwanadamu kama sisi? The government is a human institution, and there is no perfect government,” Kindiki said.
His remarks come amid rising tensions between Ruto and opposition leaders, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. The clashes have included personal attacks and mudslinging, prompting debate over whether Ruto is responding to provocation or acting unpresidential.
Kindiki argued the criticism is unfair and urged the opposition to focus on their agendas.
“Hawa watu walala kwa mda mwingi wakipigia kelele badala ya kuleta sera wazi kwa wananchi,” he said, calling for constructive political debate.