Deputy President Kithure Kindiki stunned his supporters on Thursday, June 5, 2025, when he broke ranks and spared opposition leader Kalonzo Musyoka from his usual scathing criticism of the opposition.

In a rare and unexpected twist, Kindiki lavished praise on Kalonzo, hailing him as a principled politician whose conduct sets him apart from the typical insult-laden rhetoric of other opposition figures.

Speaking in Kalonzo’s stronghold of Makueni, Kindiki adopted an unusually conciliatory tone and stated that he felt completely at home in Ukambani because Kalonzo also feels at home when visiting Tharaka Nithi and Meru counties.

“When I am here in Makueni, I feel at home; even Kalonzo, when he goes to Tharaka Nithi and Meru, says he feels at home. Why should I be here and not feel at home? Even I feel at home.

“If Kalonzo feels that way, so do I. We are at home. I have seen others there who are not Kalonzo; Kalonzo is a gentleman, but there are others there, friends of Kalonzo,” Kindiki said.

Despite Kalonzo’s recent scathing tirades against the Kenya Kwanza government, Kindiki urged the crowd to convey his greetings to Kalonzo, prompting loud cheers from the audience.

Kindiki, careful to avoid any misinterpretation, underscored that his praise was rooted in respect for both himself and the Kenya Kwanza administration, describing them as dignified leaders who refrain from the reckless name-calling that has become all too common among some opposition figures.

“Please greet him for me, and we have no issues. We respect leaders; we do not insult anyone. That is just how we are,” he affirmed.

Kindiki proceeded to caution the opposition not to mistake their restraint from retaliating insults for weakness.

“However, some people see us like this and think we are pushovers. We are not pushovers,” he declared firmly.

He turned his criticism towards former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, describing him as the main source of insults but warning that such behaviour is unacceptable.

Kindiki expressed concern that Gachagua has recently developed a habit of launching harsh verbal attacks at the government and President Ruto wherever he goes. He advised Kalonzo to be wary of his association with Gachagua.

According to Kindiki, it would be deeply regrettable if Gachagua’s habit of hurling insults were to influence Kalonzo, as Kalonzo is a leader of great integrity.

“He is full of arrogance; it starts here and reaches South Africa. They go around insulting everyone — MPs, artistes, even the president. And this man, my big brother Kalonzo Gachagua, will insult him.

“Big brother Kalonzo should be careful, I am telling you. Because no one can be so arrogant as to insult everyone, thinking they have all power. Is he God? And you will see others do not,” Kindiki concluded.

Kalonzo declares protests

Kindiki’s shift in tone arrives just days after Kalonzo boldly challenged President William Ruto’s government by declaring June 25th a national holiday to commemorate the young Kenyans who sacrificed their lives and were injured in the fight for good governance.

In a bold declaration in Machakos on Friday, May 30, 2025, while in the company of key opposition figures in the country, Kalonzo decried government inaction in compensating families who lost their kin during the anti-Finance bill demos in 2024.

“We shall be marking June 25, 2025, as a Gen Z revolution day. This will be a holiday for all Kenyans to celebrate the new liberation championed by the Gen Zs,” Kalonzo said.

“Therefore, I want to state here that June 25 will forever be a national holiday for the children of this nation. We have to respect the youth of this country who lost their lives yet their parents have yet to receive compensation from the government,” he added.