Kindiki warns Mt Kenya leaders against divisive politics

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has cautioned political leaders in the Mt Kenya region against promoting divisive rhetoric, warning that confrontational campaigns risk undermining the area’s long-standing culture of unity and development.

Speaking in Mwea, Kirinyaga County, where he inspected ongoing road infrastructure projects, Kindiki said Mt Kenya has historically embraced peaceful and progress-driven politics under successive administrations.

“I urge those advancing politics of hatred to stop because we are one people,” he said. “The people of Mt Kenya are hardworking and united.”

Kindiki stressed that political competition must not erode social cohesion, noting that while elections come and go, communities remain.

“Our politics is about development. When politics is over, we remain brothers and sisters and neighbours,” he said.

Focus on development record

The deputy president, who serves in President William Ruto government, said leaders seeking support in the vote-rich region should focus on their performance record rather than incitement or empty promises.

“Leaders must come with a track record of what they have done when they were in office. That is what the people want to see,” Kindiki said.

He added that Mt Kenya has maintained relative political stability over the years and warned against attempts to introduce polarising narratives that could slow development momentum.

Road projects and national agenda

Kindiki encouraged residents and local leaders to work closely with his office to accelerate priority projects, particularly road construction aimed at improving connectivity and boosting trade across the region.

“Use me while I am in office. Bring your development needs, and we will work on them,” he said. “We want to complete roads in Mt Kenya and across Kenya.”

He said the ruling Kenya Kwanza leadership will anchor its future campaigns on its development record.

“When campaign time comes, the government will present its track record of development. That is what will speak for us,” Kindiki said.

Mt Kenya remains a politically influential region that has often shaped national electoral outcomes. Political observers say calls for unity signal intensifying competition as leaders position themselves ahead of the next general election.