NAIROBI, Kenya — Nominated Member of Parliament (MP) Sabina Chege has dismissed growing claims that Deputy President Kithure Kindiki is gradually being stripped of key responsibilities within government, insisting that the speculation is politically driven and does not reflect the reality inside the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Speaking during an interview with a local media station on Wednesday, July 29, Chege said Kindiki remains firmly focused on executing his constitutional mandate despite mounting political commentary suggesting his influence within government is diminishing ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“This is not new; the professor is not under siege. He is not; he is just doing his work. We are getting into times where everybody is fighting for their space,” Chege said.
The former Murang’a Woman Representative argued that Kenya has entered an intense political season in which leaders across different parties are positioning themselves for the next electoral cycle, leading to heightened speculation about alliances, succession politics and the distribution of power.
According to Chege, such political manoeuvring should not be interpreted as evidence that Kindiki’s office has been weakened.
She pointed to recent remarks by Suna East MP and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Director of Elections Junet Mohamed, who publicly endorsed Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya as the party’s preferred running mate in the event of a coalition agreement with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Chege said the endorsement had fuelled unnecessary speculation about Kindiki’s future, even though it had no bearing on his constitutional position as Deputy President.
“The endorsement does not mean the Deputy President is under siege,” she maintained.
She further dismissed suggestions that internal divisions within Kenya Kwanza were targeting Kindiki, insisting that his position remains secure.
The remarks come amid growing political debate over Kindiki’s role in government following reports alleging that some of his responsibilities had quietly been reassigned to Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
The speculation has drawn comparisons with events that preceded the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, whose relationship with President William Ruto deteriorated before Parliament voted to remove him from office.
Gachagua has since publicly advised Kindiki to remain vigilant, warning that a similar political scheme could be unfolding against him.
The former deputy president has also urged supporters of his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) not to target Kindiki politically, describing him as “one of their own.”
Kindiki has, however, rejected claims that his office has been weakened.
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Responding to reports that authority to chair the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC) had been transferred to Mudavadi, the Deputy President dismissed the allegations as false.
He described the reports as fake news and maintained that no constitutional or administrative changes had been made to diminish the functions of his office.
The debate reflects broader political realignments taking shape ahead of the 2027 General Election, with parties and senior leaders increasingly positioning themselves for potential coalitions and succession battles.
Although no formal changes have been announced regarding the Deputy President’s constitutional responsibilities, speculation over the balance of power within the executive has continued to dominate Kenya’s political discourse.
