Editor's Review

Kithure Kindiki lost his cool after Council of Governors (CoG) Chairman, Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, was stopped from using his lectern during an event in Karen, Nairobi.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Monday, August 31, presided over a Special Session of the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC) held in Karen, Nairobi. 

Kindiki was joined by several governors, including Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, who serves as the Chairperson of the Council of Governors (CoG). 

During the session, Kindiki invited Abdullahi to make his remarks, but as Abdullahi approached Kindiki’s lectern, he was redirected to use a separate podium. 

The development prompted an immediate reaction from Kindiki, who questioned why the governor could not use the podium he had been speaking from.

"If he uses my podium, what will happen to me? Leave these old-fashioned things; they are useless," he said.

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When Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale was later given opportunity to speak, explained why governors and other officials were not permitted to use Kindiki’s podium during government functions.

"Your Excellency, with your indulgence, as a former Minister for Defense, we will not use your podium, it is not allowed in government," he stated.

File image of Kithure Kindiki at the Special Session of the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC) in Karen

This comes days after Kindiki hit back at Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua over repeatedly mocking his voice. 

In a statement on Sunday, August 16, he accused Gachagua of lacking meaningful contributions to politics, policy and leadership. 

"Mr Rigathi, talking about my voice is the only contribution your emptiness and incompetence can make in matters of politics, policy and leadership," he wrote.

Kindiki said he will not be drawn into a personal exchange with his predecessor or discuss his physical structure. 

"You can mock my voice all you want. But I won’t stoop to your lowly level by trying to respond or by discussing your not-so-great anatomy," he added.

At the same time, Kindiki said he will not allow Gachagua to mislead Mt Kenya residents through political slogans and chants.

"I will not allow you to mislead the people of Mount Kenya with your useless slogans and chants. I like the way you underestimate me," he further said.

Kindiki also dismissed Gachagua’s claims that he interfered with his efforts to address illicit alcohol in Mt Kenya.

He said his focus while serving as the Interior Cabinet Secretary was on security.

"As Interior Minister during the two years of your colorless tenure, I never involved myself in politics even for a day. I wasn’t bothered with your activities, so stop lying that I overruled you in matters of alcohol that you were purportedly resolving," he noted.

Further, Kindiki said he advised Gachagua to repair his relationship with President William Ruto, but he ignored his advice and dismissed him. 

"I let you be, but I refused to join you in sabotaging a Government we had formed. I told you if you chose to leave, the rest of us would be left to push for the public interest which had motivated us to form Government- our roads, markets, electricity, coffee and milk prices," he stated.