Deputy President Kithure Kindiki intensified his push for Mt Kenya support on Monday amid a growing political rivalry with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Speaking in Irunduni, Tharaka Constituency, Tharaka Nithi County, Kindiki used a meeting with more than 2,500 grassroots leaders to market the Kenya Kwanza administration’s development agenda in the region.
The Deputy President said the government had embarked on the tarmacking of the 56-kilometre Miomponi-Mukothima-Gatunga-Nkondi road for Sh3.3 billion.
He added that several other roads had already been advertised for upgrading to bitumen standards.
Kindiki also pledged increased investment in water infrastructure and electricity connectivity, saying the projects would help reduce dependence on rain-fed agriculture in arid and semi-arid areas.
“Roads, water and electricity are three key priorities that the Government is working on to ensure greater productivity, reduce reliance on rain-fed agriculture and improve livelihoods,” he said.
The meeting was attended by local leaders led by Tharaka MP Gitonga Murugara.
Kindiki’s visit came as political activity intensified in the Mt Kenya region, where he and Gachagua are increasingly competing for influence ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Since his fallout with President William Ruto, Gachagua has positioned himself as the region’s political kingpin and has repeatedly accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of neglecting Mt Kenya after winning overwhelming support in 2022.
His allies have questioned Kindiki’s political influence in the region, arguing that the Deputy President lacks grassroots mobilisation skills and depends heavily on state-backed development tours to build support.
Opposition leaders allied to Gachagua have also accused Kindiki of avoiding difficult political questions touching on the high cost of living, taxation and economic hardships facing ordinary Kenyans.
Some critics have described him as a technocrat struggling to command political loyalty in a region known for aggressive political mobilisation.
However, leaders allied to Kindiki say the Deputy President represents a calm and development-focused leadership style centred on service delivery rather than confrontation.
They argue that the government’s focus on roads, water and electricity projects demonstrates its commitment to fulfilling campaign promises despite growing political pressure from the opposition.
Political analysts say the rivalry between Kindiki and Gachagua is likely to shape the future of Mt Kenya politics and influence President Ruto’s re-election strategy ahead of the 2027 polls.
