NAIROBI, Kenya Aug 22 – Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has issued a pointed political warning to his predecessor Rigathi Gachagua, declaring that the days of politicians who rely on personal attacks and nicknames are numbered.
In his remarks during a meeting with Mt Kenya grassroots leaders, Kindiki said leaders should be assessed based on their record of service rather than political theatrics.
“You believe that you can be voted for because you engage in foolish and childish things? And then you take pride in calling yourself a hero simply because you came up with a nickname for the President, as if that is some great achievement? That is not how it works. Then another person calls himself a hero because he gave the Deputy President a nickname,”
“I announce to you today: “Mene, Mene, Tekel”—your days in politics have been counted. You have been weighed and found wanting. Your days in politics are numbered,” he said
He challenged former senior government officials to explain what they delivered during their time in office, including projects in roads, schools, hospitals and markets.
Kindiki said politicians should not present themselves as heroes merely because they created nicknames for senior leaders.
He said political contests should instead be based on tangible achievements and service to citizens.
Kindiki has said the true measure of leadership is service to the people and family, rather than confrontation and political bravado.
Kindiki said leaders should use wisdom in dealing with their colleagues, superiors, elected representatives and citizens.
He questioned whether families are led through chest-thumping or wisdom, saying responsible leadership requires maturity and good judgment.
The Deputy President who appeared to criticize his predecessor he said, failed to develop the relationships necessary to work effectively with other leaders.
“Even now, if I were to get into trouble, those MPs who are here, people from my own home area, would be the ones at the forefront calling for my removal. Wouldn’t that make me a complete fool? Wouldn’t that make me worthless?”
“Even if you have done nothing wrong, and people from your own home area are the ones pushing for your removal—people who are much younger than you—shouldn’t you humble yourself as a father and as a leader, talk to those young people and say, ‘I’m sorry, Honourable Member. I mean no harm,” he said.
Kindiki’s remarks were in relation to Gachagua castigating Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi for being at the fore-front of his impeachment despite being his home MP and having spoken on his behalf during negotiations before he got married.
