Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has appealed to Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka to maintain restraint in his political engagements, even as he questioned the former vice president’s record in government.
Kindiki spoke on Monday, September 21, 2026, during a visit to Tharaka Constituency in Tharaka Nithi County, where he inspected development projects and addressed residents at Gachiongo Market.
While taking issue with some of Kalonzo’s political positions, the Deputy President described the Wiper leader as a “mwangwana” and said he should not be drawn into using insults against political opponents.
Kindiki said he had respect for Kalonzo despite their political differences and urged him to maintain what he described as his traditionally respectful approach to politics.
Kindiki challenges Kalonzo on development
Part of Kindiki’s criticism focused on infrastructure in areas associated with Kalonzo.
He questioned why some roads remained in poor condition despite Kalonzo having occupied senior government positions, including serving as Kenya’s Vice President between 2008 and 2013.
Kindiki used the condition of a road leading towards Kalonzo’s home area to make his point, contrasting sections of tarmacked road with stretches that residents still have to navigate on rough terrain.
“Lami, unaachana na lami ukienda nyumbani, unaachana na lami, alafu unasafiri kilomita mia mbili ya mawe, vumbi na mito,” Kindiki said.
He went on to ask why the road had not been addressed during Kalonzo’s time in government.
“Alafu ukakuwa makamu na hukutengeneza hiyo barabara. Mimi na William Ruto tutakusaidia ndugu yangu,” he said.
The remarks come as political leaders increasingly use development records and past government positions to challenge one another ahead of the 2027 General Election.
‘Kalonzo, we si mtu wa matusi’
Despite the criticism, Kindiki struck a conciliatory tone when addressing Kalonzo’s conduct.
He said he had heard claims that the Wiper leader had recently adopted a more confrontational style and urged him not to allow other politicians to change his approach.
“Yes, na usitusi. Mimi nilisikia hata wamekufunza matusi siku hizi anatusi watu. Wewe Kalonzo we si mtu wa matusi,” Kindiki said.
He added: “Usifundishwe tabia mbaya na hawa watu. Wewe ni mtu mwangwana.”
Kindiki said political disagreements should not remove the respect he has for Kalonzo, arguing that the former Vice President should maintain the character for which he is known.
“Hata kama haukufanya maendeleo ya hapa kwetu, hakuna shida, lakini wewe ni mtu mwangwana. Wasiikufundishe matusi. Sisi watu hatutaki watu ya matusi hapa,” he said.
Road project takes centre stage
Kindiki’s comments came during a tour that also focused heavily on infrastructure projects in Tharaka Nithi.
He inspected the Miomponi-Gachiongo-Gatunga road project, which is intended to improve transport links and the movement of people and goods in the area.
The Deputy President said construction was progressing towards completion and put the cost of the project at about Ksh3 billion.
Earlier reporting by the Kenya News Agency indicated that the broader Miomponi–Mukothima–Gachiongo–Gatunga road project had recorded progress, with 15 kilometres already completed by August.
Kindiki said the government was continuing to invest in rural roads as part of efforts to improve connectivity and support economic activity outside major towns.
The infrastructure push has also become part of the wider political conversation, with government officials increasingly highlighting completed and ongoing projects when defending the administration’s record.
For Kalonzo, Kindiki’s remarks combine political criticism with a call to maintain civility, as the country moves closer to the 2027 election cycle.
