The Kenya Kwanza Alliance presidential candidate William Ruto appealed to Tharaka Nithi residents not to be angry that he did not pick their MP Kithure Kindiki as his running mate for the August election.


Ruto was speaking during his economic forum in the country when he hinted he is currently grooming Kindiki to succeed him later on in the future.

He told them that Kindiki was still a young man and he was currently being prepared for the ultimate position, which is to become the country’s head of state after they leave the political arena.

He emphasised that Speaker Justin Muturi, his running mate Rigathi Gachagua and himself are ageing and will leave the leadership in the hands of younger leaders such as Kindiki at the end of their 10 years in leadership of the country, assuming they win the forthcoming election.

"Speaker Muturi, Gachagua and I are ageing. When we will be leaving, we will leave the mantle of leadership to the young generation. But then, we have to guide and mentor the young in preparation for the leadership roles. After we are done with our 10 years, it will be their turn," Ruto said.


The deputy president told Tharaka Nithi residents that Kindiki was destined for greater positions and had already bypassed such positions as the senators or governors.

He also said Kindiki is the third person in command in the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party hierarchy and was greater than the county politics.

“In the UDA list, number one is the hustler (himself), the second position is Gachagua then Kindiki. So, would you like to lock someone in position three in the national politics locally,” Ruto posed.


Ruto’s remarks were meant to pacify the disgruntled members of Kindiki’s community after he picked Gachagua as his running mate instead of Kindiki.