President William Ruto is unlikely to replace Deputy President Kithure Kindiki ahead of the 2027 General Election despite growing political pressure over the country’s second-highest office, Tharaka MP George Murugara has said.
Murugara, a close ally of President Ruto and chairperson of the National Assembly Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, argued that Kindiki has proved himself through competence, loyalty and effective service since assuming office following Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment in October 2024.
His remarks come as political negotiations intensify ahead of the 2027 General Election, with the Deputy President’s position emerging as one of the key issues within Kenya Kwanza’s broad-based coalition. ODM leaders have been linked to calls for the position as part of coalition talks, while allies of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua continue questioning Kindiki’s ability to consolidate support across the Mt Kenya region.
In an exclusive interview with Ronny TV, Murugara dismissed suggestions that President Ruto should consider replacing Kindiki.
“If Kindiki is qualified, in fact, I have been one of the persons saying in Parliament he is one of the best deputy presidents and vice presidents we have had in the recent past,” Murugara said.
“It goes without saying, number one, he is qualified, he knows his job and he does it very well.”
Murugara said changing Deputy President Kithure Kindiki barely three years after his appointment would create unnecessary political uncertainty.
“Having just done away with the immediate former deputy president, in my view, it may not be appropriate to change that position now because that may send jitters in the political circles,” he said.
The MP also praised Kindiki’s working relationship with President Ruto, saying the Deputy President has effectively supported the Head of State’s development agenda.
“In my view, Professor Kindiki has deputized President William Ruto very well and therefore we move in that direction,” Murugara said.
He added that retaining Kindiki would also support the government’s efforts to promote national unity.
“Even for the country, the unity we are talking about is likely to be realized.”
Murugara further argued that Kindiki enjoys growing public confidence because of his performance in office.
“If you take an opinion from Kenyans today, I can assure you he is going to emerge top of the tops,” he said.
“I gain that from the population of Kenya, which supports him. I actually gain that from the way he delivers his work. He is competent. He knows what he is doing and what he does is actually the best for the country.”
“Therefore, I feel he is going to be retained.”
Deputy President’s office has long history of political turbulence
Murugara’s defence of Kindiki comes against the backdrop of Kenya’s long history of political battles surrounding the deputy presidency.
The office has frequently been caught up in succession politics, beginning with Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s resignation in 1966 after falling out with founding President Jomo Kenyatta. Joseph Murumbi also resigned within months, while Daniel arap Moi survived years of attempts to block his succession before eventually becoming president in 1978.
Former Vice Presidents Mwai Kibaki, Josephat Karanja and George Saitoti also faced political setbacks linked to succession contests.
Even after the 2010 Constitution introduced the jointly elected Deputy President to strengthen security of tenure, political tensions persisted. President Ruto himself was sidelined during former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s second term before winning the presidency in 2022, while Gachagua became the first Deputy President to be impeached under the new constitutional order in October 2024.
Growing pressure ahead of the 2027 polls
Kindiki now faces mounting political pressure as preparations for the 2027 General Election gather pace.
ODM figures have been linked to proposals that the Deputy President’s position should form part of broader coalition negotiations, while Gachagua’s Democracy for the Citizens Party has intensified campaigns portraying Kindiki as unable to unite the wider Mt Kenya voting bloc.
Questions over his political influence also resurfaced after UDA lost the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election to DCP, fuelling debate over whether Kenya Kwanza can retain its grip on the vote-rich Central Kenya region.
Despite the speculation, senior government leaders have publicly defended Deputy President Kithure Kindiki. Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku recently said the Deputy President had “outperformed himself” as a national leader, while Embu Senator Alexander Mundigi dismissed claims that the position would be moved to another region.
Murugara’s endorsement is likely to strengthen the argument among Kindiki’s allies that President Ruto is unlikely to risk another leadership shake-up after the fallout that followed Gachagua’s impeachment.
Whether President Ruto retains Deputy President Kithure Kindiki or yields to coalition pressure is expected to become one of the defining political decisions ahead of the 2027 General Election, as succession politics and alliance negotiations continue to shape Kenya’s political landscape.
