Kindiki urges Ruto allies to shelve 2032 politics and focus on 2027 re-election bid

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has called on supporters of President William Ruto to focus on securing the President's re-election in 2027, urging leaders to put aside what he described as distracting political agendas, including early campaigns for the 2032 elections.

Speaking on Saturday during the Kaptagat Integrated Conservation Programme at Kaptarkok in Keiyo South, Elgeyo-Marakwet County, Kindiki said the government's priority should be consolidating its achievements ahead of next year's General Election.

The Deputy President, who represented President Ruto at the event, said leaders should unite behind the administration instead of shifting attention to future succession politics.

"I want to ask my brothers and sisters to put aside unimportant matters and consolidate the gains that this administration has brought to our country. Let us unite our efforts to ensure that President William Ruto gets a second term and continues delivering his agenda of transforming Kenya," he said.

Kindiki said leaders from all regions of the country should refrain from engaging in early campaigns for the 2032 elections.

"I am calling upon all leaders across this country, from the Coast to Western Kenya, Nyanza, the Rift Valley, Central Kenya, Nairobi, North Eastern, and Eastern regions, to stop early campaigns for 2032."

He added: "We have important work to do first next year. We must consolidate the gains we have achieved under the leadership of President William Ruto and ensure that his agenda of transforming Kenya is not disrupted by a directionless, agenda-less, thoughtless, and plan-less opposition."

The Deputy President pointed to projects and programmes implemented since 2022, saying they demonstrate the government's development record.

Among the projects he cited were the Talanta Stadium, the expansion of the Rironi-Mau Summit Highway, the Isiolo-Mandera Highway and the reconstruction of Nithi Bridge.

He also highlighted programmes such as the NYOTA empowerment initiative, which received a second tranche of grants for young entrepreneurs on Friday, and the fertiliser subsidy programme, saying they have improved livelihoods through job creation and better earnings.

Kindiki said the government's development agenda should remain the centre of attention.

"We have witnessed the transformation of Kenya under the leadership of President William Ruto over the last four years. We have seen projects that many people never imagined could be achieved in this country become a reality," he said.

He also underscored the government's environmental conservation agenda, saying it is anchored on the target of planting 15 billion trees by 2032 and restoring forests across the country, including Kaptagat Forest.

According to the Deputy President, the government is supporting forest restoration to strengthen environmental protection, water security and food security.

"We want to ensure that we have a good environment that provides water security and food security for the benefit of our nation."

He said the country had already made progress towards its tree planting target.

"We have a tree planting programme of 15 billion trees between 2022 and 2032. Already, we have planted 1.7 billion trees, and we want to accelerate this programme so that we achieve the target of 15 billion trees by 2032," he said.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen commended Kindiki's leadership, saying his tenure as Deputy President had strengthened the government's agenda.

"Since you became Deputy President, we have seen amazing development across the country because you have stabilised the President's agenda," Murkomen said.

The Interior Cabinet Secretary also called for collective support towards environmental conservation efforts.

"We must work together to ensure all environmental efforts come to fruition," he said.

Environment Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa said the ministry remains focused on achieving the national tree planting target and expanding forest rehabilitation programmes.

"We are progressing well in achieving the targeted 15 billion trees by 2032," she said, while encouraging Kenyans to take advantage of the coming rainy season to plant more trees.

National Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo, who serves as patron of the Kaptagat Integrated Conservation Programme, said the initiative aims to restore more hectares of forest following what he described as a successful programme over the past decade.

The Kaptagat Integrated Conservation Programme brings together government leaders and stakeholders to support environmental conservation through forest restoration and tree planting initiatives.