Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has criticised attempts to claim political control of the Mt Kenya region, saying past presidents from the area never declared themselves kingpins.

Kindiki spoke during a rally on Sunday, April 26, 2026, as political rivalry between government allies and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua continued to grow.

He said leaders who came from Mt Kenya earned respect from the people rather than by proclaiming themselves regional bosses.

“We have had President Mwai Kibaki, who did many things for this area and was one of us from the Mt Kenya region,” Kindiki said.

“We had President Uhuru Kenyatta, who also did many things for us, and he came from Mt Kenya. Before, we also had Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, the founder of the nation, who led many patriots in the struggle for independence.”

Kindiki said none of the three leaders ever used their office to declare themselves the political head of the region.

“In all those presidents who came from this mountain, there was not a single day when President Jomo Kenyatta, the late President Kibaki or retired President Uhuru Kenyatta declared themselves leaders of Mt Kenya,” he said.

“It is the people, the community and everybody around us who declared them as leaders.”

His remarks came days after Gachagua dismissed claims that he wanted to be crowned the Mt Kenya kingpin.

Speaking in an interview on April 25, Gachagua said he had no interest in the title and was instead focused on the presidency.

“There is no position of kingpin enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya,” Gachagua said.

“I am only interested in the Presidency of the Republic of Kenya. If there is anybody interested in taking the Mt Kenya kingpin seat, let them, but I have no interest in it.”

Mt Kenya power battle

Even so, the debate over influence in Mt Kenya has remained central to national politics since Gachagua’s fallout with President William Ruto’s camp.

Gachagua has sought to position himself as a key voice in the region after leaving government, while leaders allied to the administration have challenged his standing.

Kindiki’s comments appeared aimed at undercutting any suggestion that one politician can claim ownership of the region’s political direction.

He argued that leadership should come from public trust and service, not self-promotion.

The DP has in recent months increased visits to Mt Kenya counties as he seeks to strengthen support for the Kenya Kwanza administration.

His rally remarks also came on the same day opposition leaders in Mombasa defended Gachagua and criticised Kindiki’s rise to office.

DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa said Kindiki was the first “selected, not elected” deputy president, referring to his appointment after Gachagua’s impeachment.

That exchange shows how the battle for Mt Kenya support is now tied to the wider contest ahead of the 2027 General Election.

For many voters in the region, the question is not who carries the kingpin label, but who can deliver roads, jobs, lower living costs and political influence.