Kenya’s Deputy President Kindiki Threatens to Expose Gachagua Secrets as He Fights for 2027 Ticket

Key facts

• Kithure Kindiki was born July 17, 1972, in Irunduni village, Tharaka-Nithi County.
• He earned a PhD in International Law from the University of Pretoria in 2002.
• Kindiki represented Tharaka-Nithi in the Senate from 2013 to 2022.
• He was appointed Interior Cabinet Secretary under President William Ruto before becoming deputy president in 2024 after Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment.
• Kindiki declared a net worth of KSh 544 million ($5 million) in 2020.
• On November 23, 2025, Kindiki threatened to expose secrets on Gachagua gathered while he was Interior CS.
• The UDA candidate won the Mbeere North by-election on November 27, 2025, seen as a referendum between Kindiki and Gachagua.
• Kindiki is pushing for a ‘two-term’ message for President Ruto, asking if that includes him as deputy.

Kindiki’s Warning to Gachagua at Mbeere North Rally

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has threatened to expose secrets he claims to have gathered on his predecessor, Rigathi Gachagua, while serving as Interior Cabinet Secretary. Speaking on November 23, 2025, at Kivue in Mbeere North while campaigning for UDA candidate Leonard Muthende, Kindiki warned Gachagua to stop insulting him. “Gachagua, leave me alone! I will shame you. I am not someone to play with. You have threatened many people, but your days are over,” Kindiki declared. He accused Gachagua of referring to him as an employee of President William Ruto rather than recognizing his position as deputy president.

A Contrast in Political Careers and Track Records

Kindiki compared his own professional and political record to Gachagua’s, arguing that Gachagua does not belong on the same level. “He was elected as a one-term MP, and in that term, he did not even chair a committee in Parliament. He was a backbencher when I was Majority Leader in the Senate,” Kindiki claimed. He further alleged that Gachagua forced his way onto the 2022 ticket by orchestrating “No Rigathi, No Ruto” protests within the UDA party to pressure President Ruto into picking him as running mate. Kindiki castigated Gachagua’s radical anti-government politics, saying he is not a decent politician like previous leaders from Mount Kenya.

Mbeere North By-Election as a Referendum on Regional Leadership

The Mbeere North by-election, held on November 27, 2025, was widely seen as a test of who controls the Mount Kenya political base between Kindiki and Gachagua. Kindiki led the UDA charge and secured a decisive victory against the united opposition backed by Gachagua. Embu Senator Alexander Mundigi declared that all 10 Mount Kenya counties are behind Kindiki, calling him “a man who has enough education and a man who can fight for people.” Chinga MCA Thuku Kiruga said the current political dispensation has put Mount Kenya behind the deputy president, urging an end to the “imaginary war” between Mt Kenya East and West.

Kindiki’s Push for Continuity in 2027

Rejuvenated by the by-election win, Kindiki has intensified his campaign to retain his slot in the 2027 elections, placing himself at the centre of President Ruto’s “two-term” message. Addressing residents, he openly sought affirmation: “So when you say President Ruto’s two terms, is it also two terms for me?” Leaders from Mt Kenya East, emboldened by the outcome, have declared Kindiki the region’s political custodian. Thuku Kiruga said those who believe in development have backed Kindiki and will continue to support him to lead even in the next government.

Background: From Law Lecturer to Deputy President

Kithure Kindiki was born on July 17, 1972, in Irunduni village, Tharaka-Nithi County. After scoring a Grade C in his KCSE at Lenana School, he retook the exam at Tharaka Boys High School. He earned a Bachelor of Laws from Moi University in 1998, a Master of Laws in International Human Rights Law and Democracy from the University of Pretoria in 2000, and a PhD in International Law from the same university in 2002. He is a senior lecturer of international law at the University of Nairobi. He represented Tharaka-Nithi in the Senate from 2013 to 2022, then served as Interior Cabinet Secretary under the Kenya Kwanza administration before being elevated to deputy president in 2024 following Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment. Kindiki first gained public attention when he represented William Ruto at the International Criminal Court in 2011.

The Infrastructure Fund Pitch and Economic Stability

Beyond the political rivalry, Kindiki has been promoting Kenya’s new Infrastructure Fund, which aims to crowd-fund over 5 trillion shillings for infrastructure modernization over 20 years. Speaking at the 22nd Annual African Private Equity and Venture Capital Conference in Nairobi on April 29, he assured investors of Kenya’s long-term economic and political stability. “We have an ambitious infrastructure programme covering the next 20 years. We want to make sure we modernize our airports, roads, seaports, railways. This ambitious infrastructure upgrade programme cannot be achieved by increasing taxes or piling debt,” Kindiki said. He noted that for every one dollar of seed capital, the government targets to crowd in 10 dollars of private investment.

Outlook: Kindiki’s Dual Strategy of Development and Political Assertiveness

Kindiki’s recent actions reveal a dual strategy: positioning himself as a stable economic partner for investors while aggressively consolidating political power in Mount Kenya. The Infrastructure Fund, with a pipeline of over 40 active PPP projects, provides a substantive policy platform, while his threats to expose Gachagua signal a willingness to use state-gathered intelligence for political gain. The government is also finalizing a Sovereign Fund to cushion the economy from shocks. As Kindiki openly seeks affirmation for a second term alongside President Ruto, the coming months will test whether his blend of development messaging and hardball politics can secure his place in Kenya’s 2027 elections.

The bottom line

• Kithure Kindiki, a former law lecturer and Interior CS, became deputy president in 2024 after Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment.
• He threatened to expose secrets on Gachagua gathered while serving as Interior CS, escalating their political feud.
• Kindiki led the UDA to victory in the Mbeere North by-election on November 27, 2025, seen as a referendum on Mount Kenya leadership.
• He is pushing for a ‘two-term’ message for President Ruto and seeking affirmation that he will remain deputy in 2027.
• Kindiki is promoting a 5 trillion shilling Infrastructure Fund, targeting private investment for roads, railways, airports, and seaports.
• His net worth was declared as KSh 544 million ($5 million) in 2020, mostly in land and buildings.