Editor's Review

The race for Ruto's deputy had narrowed down to Kindiki and Gachagua.

Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki has finally spoken after Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua was named Deputy President William Ruto's running mate.

Ruto named Rigathi his deputy in the August polls following deliberations with party members and after also considering the input of the Kenya Kwanza coalition chiefs.

The race for Ruto's deputy had narrowed down to Kindiki and Gachagua. It took about 17 hours to have the stalemate solved and Gachagua named Ruto's running mate.

{Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki. IMAGE: COURTESY}

In a statement on Sunday evening, Kindiki thanked a majority of people who backed his bid to be Ruto's deputy.

"I am eternally grateful to all those who supported and vouched for me to be nominated the UDA and Kenya Kwanza Deputy Presidential Candidate in the Elections scheduled for 9th August 2022," he said.

Kindiki went further and pledged to give a detailed statement on Monday (Today) regarding the unveiling of Gachagua as Ruto's running mate.

"Following the decision taken by my Party and Coalition regarding the matter earlier today, I will make my official statement in public on May 16, 2022. God bless Kenya and thank you."

Kindiki is said to have been the favourite person of a majority of Mt Kenya MPs who participated in a voting exercise held at the DP's residence.

The Tharaka Nithi senator is also said to have topped opinion polls conducted in the Mt Kenya region but the DP went on to name Gachagua as his deputy.