- Deputy President Kithure Kindiki was heckled in Othaya by a crowd chanting “One term!”, a Rigathi Gachagua-aligned slogan
- The stadium launch turned political, exposing the fierce rivalry between pro-President William Ruto and pro-Gachagua factions
- Kindiki fired back from the podium, accusing Gachagua of arrogance and divisive politics, saying no leader should act like “they’re the only smart one”
- Without naming names, Kindiki called out Gachagua’s style of leadership, blasting him for “attacking musicians, leaders, and anyone who disagrees”
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Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Politics of intolerance once again played out in Mt Kenya, this time targeting Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
The second in command was heckled and taunted by a hostile crowd during his tour of Othaya in Nyeri county on Wednesday, June 4.
The tension laid bare the deepening rift between Mt Kenya political factions, especially those aligned with President William Ruto and those rallying behind former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua.
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Kindiki, who was in Othaya to commission the construction of the Othaya Modern Community Stadium, found himself walking into a political storm.
The stadium project was supposed to be a moment of development celebration for the locals, but it turned into a battleground of slogans and defiance.
As Kindiki arrived at the venue, a crowd had already assembled outside the stadium fence, seemingly waiting not to welcome him, but to disrupt the occasion.
The group broke into loud chants of “One term! One term! One term!”, a phrase that has become the rallying cry of Gachagua’s camp, symbolising their belief and campaign to make Ruto a one-term president.
Some in the crowd ululated, others jeered, making it clear that Kindiki, despite being from the region, was stepping into a Gachagua bastion.
How did Kindiki respond to hostile Nyeri locals
But if the crowd expected Kindiki to be cowed, they were mistaken, as from the podium, the Deputy President launched a fiery, thinly veiled attack on Gachagua.
Kindiki went all out on his predecessor, criticising what he described as divisive and arrogant leadership.
“I respectfully ask that leaders show respect to one another. You can’t go around acting like you’re the only smart one, the only one who understands things, the only one who matters, while treating other leaders like fools. As if they know nothing and you know everything. Are you God? Isn’t it only God who knows everything?” Kindiki posed.
Kindiki spoke with a mix of measured calm and frustration as he openly called out Gachagua’s confrontational style.
Without naming him directly, Kindiki accused Gachagua of creating unnecessary enmity by attacking artists, fellow politicians, and anyone who did not toe his line.
“Now you are attacking everyone. You attack musicians, you attack leaders, you attack anyone who crosses your path. How do you expect the world to function if you are the only one who is popular, knowledgeable, and clever? We are all important in the eyes of God. Everyone has something to contribute to society and to progress,” Kindiki stated
Kindiki struck a more emotional chord, urging humility among leaders and unity among Mt Kenya politicians.
Ruto heckled in Isiolo
In a separate incident, during a public rally in Isiolo county in February, Ruto encountered a hostile reception from local youths.
As he addressed the crowd, attempting to discuss issues related to the drug trade by foreign nationals, attendees interrupted him with chants of “uongo” (lies), expressing scepticism towards his claims.
Despite his efforts to continue speaking, the persistent heckling hindered his address.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
