Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has called on opposition leaders to accord respect to President William Ruto and the office he holds, warning that persistent insults directed at the Head of State will no longer be tolerated.
Speaking on Wednesday during an inspection tour of government-funded development projects in Chepalungu Constituency in Bomet County,
Kindiki accused opposition leaders of focusing on attacking the President instead of advancing policy alternatives.
“Instead of promoting your agenda, policies you have used all your time to insult the President of Kenya,” Kindiki said.
“Before you start demanding the President to be presidential, have you treated him as a President? You cannot demand that he acts presidential when you have used all your time to insult, demean the President and the office of the President.”
The Deputy President said the government would no longer ignore what he described as continued verbal attacks against the Head of State by some political leaders.
“Enough is enough. I have beseeched my boss to relax and let me deal with these people because they are of lesser political stature and I can handle them. These are small time characters,” he said.
Kindiki made the remarks as he toured several infrastructure and economic projects in the county, including the ongoing construction of the Kyogong–Kapkesosio–Sigor–Kaboson–Chebunyo road and the Sigor–Lelaitich–Kipreres–Longisa road.
The two projects are valued at about Sh2.1 billion and are part of the national government’s efforts to improve transport connectivity in the region.
He also inspected the Chebunyo Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) Market, which is nearing completion, before addressing residents at Chebunyo Trading Centre.
The Deputy President used the visit to highlight development initiatives undertaken by the government in the county, saying the projects were evidence of the administration’s commitment to improving livelihoods and stimulating economic growth.
Kindiki argued that President Ruto deserved to complete two terms in office, citing what he described as progress in stabilizing the economy and rolling out major infrastructure projects across the country.
He pointed to road construction, affordable housing programmes and the expansion of the Standard Gauge Railway as examples of the government’s development agenda.
“No one said Uhuru Kenyatta or Mwai Kibaki should serve for one term. They should leave the President to serve Kenyans,” Kindiki said.
“Tomorrow, we are launching the extension of SGR from Naivasha to Kisumu through Bomet and Nyamira and then you are telling us he should serve for one term? It is not possible.”
He also announced that the expansion of the Rironi–Mau Summit highway will eventually extend to western parts of the country as part of broader infrastructure upgrades aimed at easing transport and boosting trade.
According to the Deputy President, the national government is currently implementing extensive development programmes in Bomet County, including the construction of 525 kilometres of roads at a cost of about Sh19.5 billion.
He said the county has also been allocated more than Sh12.2 billion for various projects under the national development agenda, including affordable housing units, student hostels and modern markets designed to support small-scale traders.
Kindiki further criticized some opposition leaders, claiming they had previously been entrusted with senior government positions but failed to deliver for Kenyans.
“Some of them were unable to serve and were kicked out. They only frustrated and disrespected the President,” he said.
The inspection tour brought together several local leaders who accompanied the Deputy President during the visit.
Among them were Hillary Barchok, the governor of Bomet County; Hillary Sigei, the county senator; Linet Toto, the woman representative; and Victor Mandazi, the Member of Parliament for Chepalungu.
Several Members of the County Assembly also attended the event.
Kindiki’s remarks come amid heightened political exchanges between government and opposition leaders, with both sides trading criticism over governance, development priorities and the direction of the country’s leadership.
The Deputy President maintained that despite the political tensions, the government remains focused on delivering development projects and improving the country’s economic outlook.
