Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has revealed what he says triggered the breakdown of his relationship with his predecessor Rigathi Gachagua, saying the two parted ways after he declined to abandon President William Ruto's administration when Gachagua's ties with the Head of State deteriorated.
Speaking during a public engagement in Meru County on Thursday, August 6, Kindiki said his relationship with Gachagua had been built on mutual respect while the latter served as Deputy President and he was the Interior Cabinet Secretary. However, he said their political paths diverged after Gachagua allegedly urged him to leave government following his disagreement with President Ruto.
"I was the Interior CS, yet I never looked down upon Gachagua when he was the Deputy President. I was busy fighting bandits and Al Shabaab.
"I want to announce here today that Gachagua and I fell out when he told me that because he had disagreed with his boss, William Ruto, I should join him in leaving the government," Kindiki said.
The Deputy President said he instead advised Gachagua to remain in government and work towards resolving the differences with the President from within, arguing that walking away would hand over leadership to political rivals.
"I told him no, and that the government belonged to us. I told him that even if we had issues, we should stay and resolve them because if we left, others who didn't vote for us would come and take over the progress we made," he said.
According to Kindiki, his decision to remain in government was guided by what he described as the need to safeguard development projects and ensure the region continued benefiting from the national administration.
"This seat was not for an individual, but a community and all Kenyans. I decided to take it up so that our people can get roads, electricity, and water from this government," he added.
Even as he revisited the circumstances surrounding their fallout, Kindiki welcomed the recent calls for restraint among leaders from the Mount Kenya region and pledged not to engage in personal attacks against Gachagua.
At the same time, he warned that he would respond if the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader resumed criticism directed at him, signalling that while he was open to political civility, he would not remain silent if provoked.
Kindiki also used the occasion to rally support for President Ruto's re-election bid, urging leaders and residents in the Mount Kenya region to remain within the Kenya Kwanza coalition ahead of the 2027 General Election.
"Where we are now, we are only one seat away from the Presidency. On the other side, the first, second and third positions in government have been taken, and my brother is just looking for votes for others," he said.
His remarks come days after Gachagua called on his supporters to stop attacking Kindiki, saying the Deputy President was already facing political challenges within the government and did not need further criticism from his camp.
The exchange reflects the continuing political rivalry between the two leaders as both seek to shape the direction of Mount Kenya politics ahead of the next General Election, with the region expected to remain a key battleground in the race for State House.