Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has refuted claims that he publicly disrespected Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku during a recent meeting with elders in Embu County.
In a strongly worded statement, Kindiki dismissed what he described as a “desperate, mischievous, and utterly malicious twist” of his remarks, which some had interpreted as a public rebuke of CS Ruku.
“Seen a desperate, mischievous and utterly malicious twist insinuating that I lectured and disrespected my neighbour CS Geoffrey Ruku, my friend for years. FALSEHOOD is cheap,” the deputy president said in a post on social media.
Kindiki clarified that his comments during the event, which drew over 5,000 elders, were directed not at CS Ruku, but at former Cabinet Secretaries and other ex-leaders who he claimed had acted contrary to the principle of collective responsibility.
“My remark being discussed referred to a former Cabinet Secretary from the same area and other ex-leaders who manifested similar conduct,” he said, emphasizing that government officials must work as a team and not undermine the administration from within.
He further stated, “If you are in government and you want it to do something for the people, you use your position in the same to influence the desired action. Pretending to be ‘clever’ by undermining a government that you are a senior part of is illegal and anti-people.”
Kindiki concluded by reinforcing that it is the role of the opposition not government insiders to challenge government policies and decisions.
“Ni hayo tu kwa sasa,” he signed off, indicating that he considered the matter closed.
The clarification comes amid growing debate following the Embu meeting, where CS Ruku had appealed to the deputy president to prioritise road projects in Siakago Constituency, a move that some saw as drawing criticism from Kindiki.
However, the latest statement seeks to cool tensions and reaffirm the working relationship between the two leaders.
