Kenyatta, Uhuru and Kibaki did not claim to be Mt Kenya Kingpins – Kindiki tells off critics
By Mark Mwithaga, April 29, 2026Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has told off critics still focused on the Mt Kenya succession talk.
Speaking during a forum at State House on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, Kindiki blasted leaders calling themselves kingpins in the Mt Kenya region.
The fiery DP remarked that the political stronghold has produced great leaders who have never at any point declared themselves kingpins.
Kindiki stated that former President Uhuru Kenyatta and the late Mwai Kibaki did not bestow upon themselves such a title.
“I have been in politics for a short time, and we have had prominent leaders before. Of those leaders, none of them came to boast to us the way some others are doing now,” Kindiki stated.
“We had Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta. When did you hear Uhuru or Kibaki declare themselves leaders of our community?”
He further asserted it was the people who gave Uhuru the powerful title.
The vocal politician also noted that a leader’s work should speak for itself.
“Let the work speak. Let one’s work speak for itself,” Kindiki remarked.
During the meeting between President William Ruto and grassroot leaders from Kirinyaga County, the deputy president insisted that Governor Anne Waiguru should be respected.
“Those who tour Kirinyaga and Central should respect leaders from Kirinyaga. Respect Waiguru, our MPs and our MCAs,” the DP asserted.
Waiguru, on her part, stated that the people of Mt Kenya are rooting for Ruto come 2027.
“If we managed the 2017 one and also the 2022 one, will this one of 2027 defeat us?” the governor posed.
The second in command had made similar comments during a political rally on Sunday, April 26, 2026.
His remarks came hours after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua dismissed claims that he wanted to be crowned the Mt Kenya kingpin.
Speaking in an interview on April 25, 2026, 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.”