Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has responded to remarks made by Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who recently said he is not interested in working with Kindiki.
In his response on Sunday, June 15, Kindiki said he respects Kalonzo’s decision and does not have a problem with it.
He also addressed some of the negative things Kalonzo reportedly said about him, saying he will not respond in the same way out of respect.
“I hear my big brother Kalonzo has said he doesn’t wish to work with me politically. That is fine with me. For the unkind things he has said about me, I won’t answer him back publicly, not because I can’t, but because I never do public duels with people I respect,” he said.
However, Kindiki warned that if Kalonzo continues to speak falsely about him without reason, he will not stay silent.
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“Nevertheless, if he continues with his falsehoods unprovoked, I will happily tackle him head-on. Respect is a two-way street,” he added.
Even with the disagreement, Kindiki ended his statement on a friendly note, saying he still sees Kalonzo as someone he has respected for a long time.
“For now, Kalonzo will remain the good big brother I have known for decades,” he said.
Kindiki has been leading the calls to court Kalonzo into President William Ruto's fold.
Speaking in Machakos County, he observed that Kalonzo was not cut out for the abrasive kind of politics he currently engages in in the company of former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua and other opposition honchos.
Kindiki said he would be looking for the Wiper leader for a possible political partnership with Ruto ahead of the next general election.
"If you see my big brother Kalonzo, tell him to be careful not to be lured into bad politics of abuse and tribalism. He is a lawyer. I have seen some people hyping him by calling him ‘cousin.’ But to me, Kalonzo is not my cousin; he is my brother, and I respect him so much, even in my position as DP.
"These are the same people who once ridiculed the Kamba community, saying they didn’t have enough votes to deserve development like roads or electricity. We cannot allow Kalonzo to be misled by people who do not like him. Since when did they like him?" he posed.
However, come Sunday morning, Kalonzo has ruled out working with President William Ruto ahead of the 2027 vote.
Some media reports had alluded to the one-time vice president being baited by Ruto's emissaries to join the Kenya Kwanza coalition.
Reacting to the reports, Kalonzo termed them diversionary, which were aimed at causing disquiet in the opposition.
"This is all diversionary and a poor attempt to divide the United Opposition. I cannot work with or meet up with people with Gen Z blood on their hands, including that of Albert Ojwang. Kenyans know the truth, Mr HalfTam: I will always be on the side of the people," he said.
