‘Quiet Doesn’t Mean Timid’, Kindiki Hits Back at Critics

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has sent a stern warning to leaders who take his quietness, restraint, and soft-spoken character for granted.

Speaking during a Thanksgiving service in Embu on Sunday, January 5, the Deputy President revealed that although he may remain quiet mostly, he was focused on delivering the promises of Kenya Kwanza to Kenyans and that he should be respected.

“I don’t talk much, that is who I am, sometimes people look at me and wonder how I got here because of how quiet I am. They look at how I speak and think that I am timid, but that’s not the case,” the DP lashed out.

“Leadership is not about arrogance, voice, and other things, leadership is about delivering, so let us respect each other here. There is a difference between leadership and populism,” the DP continued.

He pointed out how he was taken for granted when he was the Interior CS and people undermined his capabilities of stemming crime.

“They kept on saying I couldn’t deal with bandits in Kerio Valley, but today, there is peace in Kerio Valley due to the work I did there,” Kindiki affirmed.

The DP further revealed that he was not going to change his character and make noise but called for respect on all levels, from leaders to residents.

“If you have anger issues, don’t bring it to leadership, please, let’s respect each other. I repeat, let’s respect each other. I have given you all the respect, but you must also respect me,” the DP warned.

The DP also took the opportunity to take a swipe at leaders that have been criticising the government. Kindiki challenged the leaders to remain quiet if they could not offer solutions to the issues they condemned.

His call comes after a section of leaders, including his predecessor, Rigathi Gachagua, criticised the government for the ongoing forced disappearances.

Gachagua challenged the government to stop the cases of forced disappearances and ensure that the young people who had disappeared were released.

“To live up to your words, Mr President, make sure those children are released to their parents before the new year. If they are not alive, release their bodies to their parents so they can bury them and have closure,” the former DP said.