Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has dismissed growing political rhetoric ahead of the 2027 General Election, telling leaders to focus on development rather than divisive politics, saying Kenyans will judge elected officials by their record in office and not by political noise.
Speaking during the ACK Diocese of Embu's 36th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service at Kigari Teachers Training College in Embu County on Sunday, Kindiki expressed confidence that President William Ruto's administration would seek a fresh mandate based on its achievements, while urging politicians to stop attempting to divide communities, particularly in the Mt Kenya region.
"Next year, the people will cast their votes. I want to assure you that what will save the President, the Deputy President, governors, Members of Parliament, and all leaders is the work they have done for the people, not the noise being made," Kindiki said.
The Deputy President maintained that the Kenya Kwanza administration was focused on delivering its promises to citizens and insisted that political campaigns should be anchored on performance rather than inflammatory rhetoric.
He also dismissed attempts by political rivals to create divisions within the Mt Kenya region, saying residents had a long history of working together and should not be distracted by leaders pursuing personal political interests.
"Those who think they will bring confusion to Mt Kenya by making people speak in different voices and dividing them should relax. They should know that the Deputy President is the fireman, and I will ensure that our entire community walks together," he said.
"There is no problem. Do not create unnecessary noise or attempt to divide our people."
Kindiki argued that Kenya's democracy allows voters to make their own decisions at the ballot, adding that leaders should respect the electorate instead of engaging in endless political confrontations.
Expressing optimism about the next election, he said the Kenya Kwanza leadership was not intimidated by opposition campaigns, drawing parallels with the 2013 General Election.
"If we won when President Uhuru Kenyatta was in The Hague with President William Ruto, then next year is a small matter. Pray only for good health and God's favour. The rest is easy," he said.
His remarks come just days after the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) secured a landslide victory in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, with Sammy Kamau Ngotho defeating United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Samuel Muchina Nyagah in a result widely viewed by political observers as a significant political shift in the vote-rich Mt Kenya region.
The Deputy President also appealed for national cohesion, saying Kenyans must reject politics that threaten peace and unity.
"We are together. We are one community and one country, and we have no other home to go to. We are one family—from the Coast to Western, from North Eastern to the Rift Valley and Central Kenya," he said.
He urged citizens to safeguard the country's unity, adding: "Kenya is our homeland, and we must protect it, love it and live together in peace."
Kindiki further assured religious leaders that the government would continue respecting the Church's role in society and would keep politics out of places of worship, saying churches remain key partners in promoting peace, development and national cohesion.