Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has challenged political leaders seeking elective positions in 2027 to account for their development record, warning that voters should demand tangible results instead of being swayed by political rhetoric and personal attacks.
Speaking at a public engagement rally at Gachege Shopping Centre in Gatundu North, Kiambu County, on Wednesday, Kindiki said incumbent leaders and those seeking to replace them must explain what they have done for communities and outline what they intend to deliver if elected.
“Anyone seeking votes should come here and explain what they have done for Gatundu North. Those who are leaders today, those who held leadership positions in the past, and those seeking leadership tomorrow must tell us what they have done for this constituency,” he said.
Kindiki added that former officeholders should explain their achievements and present new proposals before asking voters to give them another opportunity.
“Once you have explained your policies on healthcare, education, roads and agriculture, you can go in peace. There should be no insults and no malice,” he said.
The remarks place development performance at the centre of the emerging political contest in Mt Kenya, where competing leaders are seeking to persuade voters that their approach offers the best path towards addressing economic and infrastructure challenges.
Development Record Takes Centre Stage
Kindiki used the rally to defend the government’s development record, highlighting road construction, electricity connectivity, markets and investments in technical training institutions.
He said Kiambu County had prioritised 1,285 kilometres of roads for tarmacking at a cost of Sh152 billion, adding that 368 kilometres had been completed over the previous two years at a cost of Sh20 billion.
The Deputy President also announced that construction had resumed on the 67-kilometre Thika–Magumu road, which connects parts of Kiambu and Nyandarua counties.
He said 31 kilometres had been completed, leaving approximately 35 kilometres to be done, and maintained that the government had resolved the financial challenges that previously disrupted road construction.
Kindiki further highlighted plans to connect nearly 1,000 households in Gatundu North to electricity, saying an additional Sh35 million would be added to an earlier Sh65 million allocation to expand connectivity.
He also cited investments in markets and training institutions as part of efforts to improve livelihoods and expand economic opportunities.
Kindiki Defends Government’s Campaign Promises
The Deputy President said the government intended to fulfil its campaign commitments before returning to voters in 2027, arguing that the administration should seek another mandate on the basis of its performance.
“We do not want to have a debt to you when we return during the campaign period. We want to come here asking for your votes, not making more promises,” he said.
Kindiki maintained that the government had already fulfilled some pledges, was implementing others and intended to complete the remaining commitments before the next election.
He also defended the administration’s handling of stalled infrastructure projects, attributing earlier delays to outstanding payments to contractors and the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The government, he said, had cleared Sh177 billion owed to contractors, enabling construction work to resume on projects across the country.
Deputy President Calls for Political Tolerance
Kindiki urged leaders to avoid turning political competition into hostility, saying Kenyans should be free to support different parties without being treated as enemies.
“Those who support the Government are Kenyans, and those who do not support the Government are also Kenyans. They have a right to decide how they want to exercise their democratic choices,” he said.
He warned against political mobilisation that allegedly encourages young people to attack opponents, destroy property or loot businesses, insisting that leaders should be held accountable for violence.
The Deputy President also renewed the government’s campaign against illicit alcohol, saying enforcement agencies would target those involved in manufacturing and distributing dangerous brews.
His message in Gatundu North combined a defence of the government’s development record with a challenge to political rivals to present alternative policies and account for their own performance.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the contest in Mt Kenya is likely to place increasing scrutiny on both the delivery of public projects and the ability of political leaders to convince voters that their promises can translate into tangible improvements in their lives.