‘Young politicians are chest-thumping because of crowds’: Kindiki tells off opposition

By  David Muchui

Correspondent

Nation Media Group

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has downplayed the massive political following recorded during opposition meetings in the Mt Kenya region, noting that this may not necessarily translate into votes.

Prof Kindiki is banking on the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party’s polling centre leaders to solidify his support in the Mt Kenya East region as the opposition makes inroads in the area.

Speaking during a meeting with 30,000 UDA party polling centre officials from Meru County at Kinoru Stadium on Friday, Prof Kindiki said UDA remains the party to beat in 2027, based on its strong leadership system across the country.

“We have seen young politicians chest-thumping because of the crowds attending their rallies. However, translating those crowds into votes is a different ball game altogether.

“This is because Kenyans will make a conscious decision when they get to the ballot. Big meetings do not mean much to the voter,” he said.

The DP has intensified his efforts to strengthen UDA grassroots networks as the country prepares for the 2027 General Election.

This was the second meeting after he hosted polling centre officials from Tharaka Nithi a week ago.

“I dare say that the United Democratic Alliance Party is the only party in Kenya which has conducted democratic elections at the grassroots. We cannot be compared to parties which have officials appointed in boardrooms,” Prof Kindiki said.

The DP exuded confidence that Kenyans will once again support the broad-based administration based on the development programmes implemented in the last four years.

“President Ruto and I are ready to face the people of Kenya and engage them one on one about what we have done in the last four years. We have been in politics for long, and therefore we know how politics is transacted. Citizens will ask themselves: What am I electing? Why am I electing? And who am I electing?” he said.

Prof Kindiki enumerated the development initiatives undertaken by the current administration, urging the polling centre officials to spread the word.

Also present were Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma, Abdi Guyo (Isiolo), Cecily Mbarire (Embu) and Muthomi Njuki (Tharaka-Nithi), Water Cabinet Secretary Eric Mugaa, members of Parliament and MCAs.

The politicians appealed to the Mt Kenya region to back Prof Kindiki amid growing competition within the broad-based government.

“It will be an injustice to deny President Ruto a second chance yet he has done a lot for this country,” Governor Njuki said.

Follow ourWhatsApp channel for breaking news updates and more stories like this.