The mother of Tharaka Nithi senator Kithure Kindiki has broken her silence after Kenya Kwanza presidential flag bearer William Ruto failed to name her son as his running mate.
On Sunday, May 15, the deputy president named Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua as his running mate after 17 hours of talks at his official Karen residence.
Mama Ann Kindiki expressed her disappointment saying that she had high hopes that her son would secure a chance for the number two slot.
In an exclusive interview with People Daily Newspaper, Kindiki’s mum accused the deputy president of duping her son to drop out of Tharaka Nithi gubernatorial race for the national politics only to shortchange him at the last minute.
“My hopes have been dashed. We were hoping the deputy president would appoint my son his running mate because he is a man of integrity, who has delivered in the various jobs assigned to him,” she said.
The senator’s father Daniel Kindiki on his part said he was not keen on his son running for the governor’s seat stating that his candidature would split the Tharaka Nithi sub-clans, a factor that would play against Kenya Kwanza.
“I was relieved when he was named among those who were being considered for running mate,” he said.
It is reported that Kindiki had emerged as the most favorite running mate for William Ruto after he beat Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua at the secret ballot.
It was widely reported the senator garnered 23 votes against Rigathi’s four in the secret ballot that was conducted by the coalition’s high-profile luminaries.
However, even after edging over the vocal legislator, Kindiki could not get the post owing to a number of factors among them grassroots mobilization skills and the appropriate temperament desired of an individual deputizing a president.
Kindiki is today Monday, May 16, expected to issue a statement after losing out on the presidential running mate.
