Recent affronts have centred on the Kindiki-led bottom-up economic empowerment and the fight for artistes and grassroots opinion shapers.
Kindiki has been leading a team of allies in the Empowerment Forum for Micro and Small Enterprises Saccos, targeting youths and women groups.
While the engagements have been conducted in different parts of the country, most of them have centred on the Mt Kenya region.
Kindiki says the initiative seeks to expand the assets of small-scale traders, women and youth groups as the Kenya Kwanza Administration accelerates the realisation of its Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda blueprint.
“The activities we are doing as leaders to empower small-scale traders are meant to complement programmes in government that seek to achieve a similar agenda,” the DP said.
“To revitalise MSEs, the government is implementing several programmes, such as National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement and Kenya Jobs and Economic Transformation.”
However, questions about the source of funds being splashed in the meetings have emerged, with Gachagua accusing Kindiki of using public coffers to bribe the electorate.
The former DP argued that the amounts ought to be channelled to structured development projects in healthcare, education and agriculture for national progress.
Clergy members who have also condemned the donations. For instance, Anglican Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit has questioned the initiative, saying the move is a clear stunt aimed at shaping a political narrative.
He further questioned why the state would deliberately disburse millions of shillings to roadside donations and token projects, when schools are struggling to function due to delayed capitation.
Treasury has since announced that the allocations to learning institutions have been disbursed.
It is, however, the battle over the creatives and musicians that has laid bare the tensions between the former and current deputy presidents, with Kindiki losing his temper after Gachagua de-campaigned the 50 artistes who visited the DP’s residence in Karen.
The artistes themselves have received a huge backlash from their fans, especially from the Mt Kenya backyard, causing some to apologise and retract their support for the government.
Others, such 90K ka Msoo, used the alleged Sh50,000 given by the DP to buy foodstuffs to donate to the less privileged.
The high-stakes politics of the mountain and the hostility the government faces were demonstrated by jeers in Kabete last weekend during an empowerment meeting.
National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah drew the flak after he criticised Gachagua.
Despite the backlash, Kindiki has vowed to invite even more artistes — 500 — to his Karen residence, saying he will not allow himself to be lectured by the former DP.
Reacting to the developments, former Mukurweini MP Kabando wa Kabando said Mt Kenya has faithfully supported its musicians in the past through album launches, anniversaries and online subscriptions.
However, the artistes supporting President William Ruto, “the worst threat to Kenya sovereign dignity”, amounts to betrayal that the region will not accept, he said.
“If you enrol to deodorise lies, we delist you! We are angry,” he said.
Kabando, who has aligned with the opposition team, said they remain unapologetically committed to the Opposition Unity of Purpose, and anyone against their resolve to oust Ruto will be defeated.
“Just like other regions, Mt Kenya has a basic duty to organise locally, and Riggy G carries our flag to the national table,” he said.
“Let nobody lie or pretend not to know the fact and truth, which is that the mountain long left Ruto's corner. What happened in 2022 is a burden, yet we cannot be hostages. We all regret somehow, but we won't condone alienation.”
Gachagua had warned that if the artistes who attended the meeting, whom Kindiki said were 50, do not apologise, then they would be unfollowed on social media and their events boycotted.
Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi criticised Gachagua’s attacks on allies of the DP, terming it empty noise.
“We are tired of grown men who cannot control their tongues,” he said.
“We don’t want leaders who provoke. We want leaders who protect. If you have nothing to say that builds this country, then with all due respect, say nothing.”
The escalating fight between the two leaders is a reflection of the importance of the vote-rich region in the 2027 election matrix, as the President, who has been in Nyanza region, seeks to secure his second term.
