Kindiki Goes Bare-knuckles On Critics: Says 'Yes Sir' Made Moi, Kibaki, Uhuru, And Ruto Presidents

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has defended himself again after people called him a “yes sir” leader.

Many Kenyans have been saying that Kindiki always agrees with President William Ruto and never disagrees.

Kindiki spoke on Saturday and said that it is normal for a deputy president to say “yes” to the president. He gave examples of former leaders who also acted the same way.

He said that the second President of Kenya, Daniel Moi, used to agree with the first President, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. Moi always said “yes” to Kenyatta and later became President himself.

Kindiki also gave the example of former President Mwai Kibaki. He said that Kibaki was once Moi’s deputy, and people used to call him names like General Kiguoya (which means coward). 

Kindiki said Kibaki was even removed from the position of Vice President and given the smaller job of Health Minister. But Kibaki never fought back. He just kept working. Later, he became President. 

Kindiki also gave the example of former President Mwai Kibaki. He said that Kibaki was once Moi’s deputy, and people used to call him names like General Kiguoya (which means coward). 

Kindiki said Kibaki was even removed from the position of Vice President and given the smaller job of Health Minister. But Kibaki never fought back. He just kept working. Later, he became President.

Kindiki also talked about former President Uhuru Kenyatta. He said Uhuru lost to Kibaki in the 2002 election and became an opposition leader. 

But in 2005, elders from the Gikuyu, Embu, and Meru Association (GEMA), including Njuri Ncheke, told him to stop fighting Kibaki and support him instead. In 2007, Uhuru supported Kibaki and said “yes sir” to him.

Kindiki finished by reminding people that even President William Ruto used to support Uhuru Kenyatta, even though they later had disagreements. Ruto always called Uhuru “my boss” and never opposed him publicly.

Kindiki told people that it is wrong to expect a deputy president or a cabinet minister to fight the president.

He said only the opposition is supposed to fight the government, not people who are working inside the government.

“If you want to oppose the government, go to the opposition,” Kindiki said.

Many Kenyans have been unhappy with Kindiki’s loyalty to the president. But he says this is how things have always worked in Kenya’s politics.