Deputy President Prof Kithure Kindiki had an altercation with the Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku over what he claimed to be inciting the public on May 11.
This happened in Embu where the CS made an appeal to the Deputy President asking him to prioritize the tarmacking of roads in the constituency of Siakago.
His request seemed to annoy the Deputy President, who did not hide his vexation with the CS.
This took place during a meeting with over 5,000 elders from Embu.
Kindiki said, “My younger brother, Ruku, that flag is not just a piece of cloth—it’s a symbol of honour. Respect it and represent the government. The president has entrusted you, the elders have blessed you, and yet you come here inciting the public about projects that are yet to be completed. Instead of going back to Nairobi to push your fellow Cabinet ministers and the president to act, you come here to complain like an ordinary citizen?”
He added, “You are no longer an MP. You are a minister now. You can’t come here to lament and incite people. If you can’t defend the government and represent your people, then you’re in the wrong place.”
However, the Deputy President later stated that he was not lecturing CS Ruku but was referring to a previous CS from the area.
He said, “Falsehood is cheap. My remark being discussed referred to a former Cabinet Secretary from the same area and other ex-leaders who manifested similar conduct, to affirm that dismissing credible concerns raised by leaders in the country—governments worldwide operate on the principle of collective responsibility.”
Kindiki described Ruku as a close friend and long-time neighbor, adding that he would never use a public platform to attack or look down on him.
The Deputy President clarified this after citizens concluded that he had scolded the CS. Some supported him, claiming he was defending the government he is a part of, while others saw it as dismissing credible concerns raised by leaders in the country.
Prof. Kindiki emphasised that his relationship with Ruku remains intact and that his goal was to highlight the responsibilities inherent with being a Cabinet Secretary.
– By Edwin Edgar
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