Kithure Kindiki blasts leaders boasting about crowds

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has issued a scathing rebuke to political figures who are more preoccupied with flaunting their ability to attract crowds rather than delivering meaningful development, dismissing such tactics as futile theatrics that add no value to government and its people.
Speaking to grassroots leaders at his home in Irunduni, Tharaka Nithi County, on Friday, February 28, 2025, Kindiki underscored that he has neither the time nor the inclination to engage in trivial political spats, insisting that his primary focus is on implementing tangible development projects that uplift the livelihoods of his constituents.
“Kwa sababu hii madharau mingi, wajue ya kwamba sisi, we are not pushovers, and the way we do our politics is different. Naona ati mtu anajigamba ati amekutana na watu tano, ati amekutana na watu ishirini, sijui wangapi.”
Rejecting political distractions
Kindiki took a swipe at leaders who have been making a spectacle out of assembling groups of people, warning them that their preoccupation with optics is nothing more than a hollow exercise devoid of substance.
He asserted that, while some politicians are busy parading themselves as crowd-pullers, he has the capacity to mobilise a formidable gathering of millions if he so wished—but his priorities lie elsewhere.
“Naona watu wengine wanataka tuanze kujibizana. I am a busy man. I am not available. Lakini waambiwe hiyo tabia mbaya waikome. We don’t accept it,” he declared, his tone resolute, as he sought to distance himself from what he termed pointless political sideshows.
The deputy president did not hold back in his criticism of the unnamed leaders, saying they squandered their own precious time when they were in government by engaging in endless politicking and that they were now frantically trying to claw their way back by making noise from the sidelines.
He insisted that the country has no time to waste, stressing the need to focus on development and governance rather than engaging in trivial pursuits of political validation.
“Naona ati mtu anajigamba ati amekutana na watu tano, ati amekutana na watu ishirini sijui wangapi. Hajui, some of us can call a million people. Tukwamue maendeleo, tuko tu na miaka mbili. Wale walipoteza time, miaka mbili ikaisha, wamezama sasa wanapiga kelele wakiwa nje,” he remarked, in a thinly veiled jab at his political detractors.
Development
In the same meeting, Kindiki, who was previously a senator in the county, challenged the constituents to hold him to account, stating that he wanted to be judged not by political theatrics but by the number of infrastructure projects he has successfully overseen.
He noted that things were going to change because he was pushing the Prsident to bring development projects into the county and urged residents to evaluate his performance based on that.
“Nataka, after one year in office, tukuwe na kikao hapa mniulize ni barabara gani imejengwa nikiwa kwa ofisi last year na ni miradi na markets ngapi umetuletea. That is my agenda,” he asserted, underscoring his determination to ensure visible and impactful transformation in his home county.
Kindiki, who throughout had been trying to rally the leaders to back the government, then hinted at an upcoming presidential tour of the region, revealing that President William Ruto would be visiting Tharaka Nithi, Meru, and Embu in the coming weeks.
He urged the local leaders to support the visit and invited them to signal their approval by a show of hands, asking whether he should formally extend an invitation to the Head of State.

“Ebu nionyesheni kwa mkono wale wananituma kwa rais. Kabla ya rais akuje, tuko na kazi ya kufanya. Si mliambiwa ati mimi sipendangi kuenda nyumbani, sijui sasa watasema nini? Sasa nitakuwa hapa almost every other week,” he declared, reinforcing his commitment to remaining actively engaged with his home region.
Absentee leader
The second in command also dismissed claims that he had distanced himself from his home county, rubbishing allegations that he is rarely present and assuring residents that he has mastered the art of balancing his national responsibilities with his local obligations.
He scoffed at suggestions that he is an absentee leader, explaining that his demanding role requires him to be constantly on the move.
“Si unaweza kuwa Mombasa asubuhi na ukuwe Meru jioni? Na mimi sio mtu wa kupotea tafadhali kama inavyosemwa. Sasa nikipotea nitaenda wapi? Nikiretire ndio retire ikikuja nikuwe na mahali pa kukaa,” he quipped.
Warning to political provocateurs
Kindiki also issued a stern warning to politicians who might be tempted to sow discord and disrespect the people of Tharaka Nithi, saying that such behavior and individuals will be dealt with decisively.
He urged visiting leaders to conduct themselves with decorum, insisting that the era of insults and reckless political utterances must come to an end.
“Watu wanaokuja hapa waheshimu wananchi, viongozi, na mambo ya matusi hatutaki. Na wakikanyanga live wire watachomeka. They will be burned beyond recognition. Unajua hawa watu hawatujui. Wanskia maneno huko kwa mtandao TikTok, but they don’t know us,” he warned.
The leader also revealed that he had been entrusted with the significant responsibility of representing the Head of State at the funeral of former Namibian President Sam Nujoma, as President Ruto could not attend because of other business.
He disclosed that Ruto had personally directed him to attend the burial and speak on his behalf and hurled shade at people who were claiming that by being sent, Ruto was undermining him.
“Saa hii ameniambia nikimbie pale Namibia nimwakilishe, kuna mazishi leo ya former president wa Namibia, Sam Nujoma. Rais ako busy kule Taita Taveta, ameniambia nikimbie hapo nirudi kesho. Sasa watu wengine wananiambia nisitumwe? Mnakubaliana na hao watu kweli?” he asked.