Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s unexpected praise of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has raised a political question: Is he courting his successor?

Gachagua spoke after Kindiki rejected attempts to divide Mt Kenya East from Mt Kenya West. The two rivals now occupy the same side of a regional debate.

“Mimi nimeona jana huyu Kindiki ametoa statement na imenifurahisha sana,” Gachagua said.

Speaking to the media on Monday, July 20, 2026, he still attacked Kindiki’s political independence.

“Kindiki, bad as he is, ni mtu ya ‘Yes Sir’, hajielewi. Lakini siku alikuwa Interior Ministry, hakulete goons kupiga sisi kama huyu Murkomen,” he said.

“Wamwega ushirwe ta wamwega na wamuici ushirwe ta wamuici. (Let the case of a good person be the same as that of a bad person with equity) At least Kindiki, hakuua Gen Z,” he asked, invoking fair judgment.

An unlikely meeting point

Kindiki made his declaration during the Anglican Church of Kenya Diocese of Embu anniversary service at Kigari Teachers Training College on Sunday, July 19.

“I come from this region, and I do not want our communities to be divided. We are one people,” Kindiki said.

He was countering Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku’s push for a separate Mt Kenya East political voice.

Gachagua welcomed that intervention.

“I think for whatever it was, Professor, there you were right,” he said.

“The only way Ruto can come back as president is when the Mt Kenya region vote is divided because this is one vote that is against him, 100 per cent,” Gachagua added.

Kindiki’s destination remains different. He supports Ruto’s re-election and says development will determine the 2027 result.

Ol Kalou has placed Gachagua ahead of Kindiki in the immediate contest for Mt Kenya control. His Democracy for the Citizens Party won 35,440 votes against the United Democratic Alliance’s 5,450.

That result allows Gachagua to praise Kindiki from a position of regional confidence.

Separate schedules attract attention

Ruto and Kindiki have recently spent several Sundays at separate engagements.

On June 21, 2026, Ruto hosted the St John Ambulance parade at the State House. Kindiki worshipped in Ziwa, Uasin Gishu.

On July 5, 2026, Ruto attended church in Embu while Kindiki was in Soliat, Kericho.

On July 12, 2026, Ruto worshipped in Kitui while Kindiki attended a service in Imenti Central, Meru.

A day earlier, Ruto attended a funeral in Igembe North as Kindiki visited Kiptulos in Elgeyo Marakwet.

Kindiki also urged Kenya Kwanza leaders to suspend the 2032 succession campaign until September 2027.

The two appeared together at Beriuri Boys School in Meru on June 28, 2026.

Separate assignments can widen government coverage and do not automatically signal a rupture.

Yet this pattern, Kindiki’s unity message and Gachagua’s praise leave room for interpretation.

Gachagua may be recognising a useful ally on regional unity.

He may also be testing whether Kindiki can separate his community’s interests from Ruto’s strategy.