EXPLAINER: Why DP Kindiki Is A 'Yes Man' To Ruto

EXPLAINER: Why DP Kindiki Is A ‘Yes Man’ To Ruto

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has explained why his loyalty to President William Ruto remains unshakable, despite accusations from some opposition leaders that he is a ‘Yes’ DP who never questions anything.

Speaking on Saturday in Siakago, Embu County, Kindiki stated that it is unfathomable for anyone to imagine him going against the appointing authority and criticizing the President or the same administration he is a member of.

“Kuna watu wengine hapa wanatufunza siasa; ati ukuwe Deputy President halafu unapigana na Rais. It’s not possible,” he stated.

“Ukitaka kupiga Rais enda kwa upinzani tumenyane ukiwa huko.”

Kindiki stated that the ‘Yes’ technique has been used by previous vice presidents who demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the president of the day until they were elected president themselves.

Kithure Kindiki led Kenya Kwanza MPs to Kirinyaga, stressing that they're not contesting opposition leaders. pic.twitter.com/omOacw7oCT
— The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) May 10, 2025

“Sisi ni watu wa kusema ‘Yes’ kama ile ilisemwa na (Late President Daniel) Moi, (President Mwai) Kibaki na President Uhuru Kenyatta.”

He described Moi as a “yes man” to Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, who eventually took over the helm after Mzee died unexpectedly in 1978.

He claimed Kibaki, too, was devoted to Moi to a fault during the one-party dictatorship until he left the government to enter opposition politics, but his loyalty would later be rewarded.

“There were times he was demoted from being a Vice President to a Minister of Interior, but he managed to become a president,” he said.

According to the DP, former President Uhuru Kenyatta attempted to defeat Kibaki when serving as Gatundu South MP.

However, he was advised by Kikuyu elders to follow the line, and he did.

He claimed Uhuru opposed the draft constitution in the 2005 vote by joining the Orange camp, but in the general election, he totally supported the late President.

“In 2007, Uhuru backed Kibaki and said ‘Yes Sir’, and you know the rest. President William Ruto was also a ‘Yes Man’ to Uhuru,” the DP added.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki explains to Mbeere residents why their son Justin Muturi was sacked from President William Ruto's cabinet. #MbeereDeclaration #CSRuku #Embufocus pic.twitter.com/KqNN6Nsy68
— City Mirror (@citymirrorKE) May 10, 2025

Kindiki cautioned those in government not to oppose the President or the government in which they serve, and that if they must go against the tide, they should join the opposition.

“You cannot be honoured by the President and result to attacking him and inciting the public. Instead of joining the rest of the Cabinet secretaries, you are fighting the President,” he said.

Kindiki said as a public servant, one should first tell the public what the government has achieved.

Ruto fired Public Service CS Justin Muturi on March 26 following months of harsh criticism of the government.

The former CS became an outspoken government critic, particularly regarding the wave of abductions that occurred in the country during the peak of anti-government protests, including that of his son.

Muturi claimed that the government had failed to respect its mandate to halt enforced disappearances.

ALSO READ:

“We vowed to end disappearances and extrajudicial killings, practices we condemned in previous regimes. Yet today, we find ourselves grappling with the very issues we swore to eradicate,” he said.

“The government cannot continue to deny knowledge of these abductions. It is its duty to protect lives and ensure justice.”

After weeks of criticism, Ruto slammed Muturi, calling him “incompetent” throughout his tenure as Attorney General.

He sacked him the next day, and Geoffrey Ruku took his position.

EXPLAINER: Why DP Kindiki Is A ‘Yes Man’ To Ruto

Tags: Kithure Kindiki