Deputy President Kithure Kindiki Crowned Njuri Njeke Spokesperson. Photo by Dennis Dibondo 
By Dennis Dibondo.
The Njuri Ncheke Supreme Council of Elders has endorsed Deputy President Kithure Kindiki as the political voice of the Ameru community and rallied the region behind President William Ruto’s re-election bid in the 2027 General Election.
The elders, who have served as the traditional governing institution of the Ameru community for generations, made the declaration on Friday during a ceremony held at the Njuri Ncheke headquarters and shrine in Nchiru, Meru County.
Kindiki, who was accompanied by former Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi, was formally honoured and crowned an elder by the council in a move that is expected to bolster his political standing in the Mt Kenya region.
In a declaration read by Murungi, the elders described Kindiki as a distinguished son of the Ameru community and thanked President Ruto for appointing him Deputy President.
The council also invited President Ruto to the Nchiru shrine for a formal engagement with the elders, describing Kindiki’s appointment as the highest honour the Ameru community had received from a sitting president.
“This is the greatest honour any president has ever accorded to the Ameru people,” the elders said.
The elders further sought to end speculation over the Deputy President’s position, insisting that the office is occupied and should not be subjected to political bargaining before the expiry of Ruto’s second term.
“Njuri Ncheke shall not keep quiet and let anyone take from us that which is rightfully ours. We shall fight tooth and nail to retain this office,” the elders declared before crowning Kindiki as an elder.
The endorsement comes amid heightened succession politics in the Mt Kenya region, with allies of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua pushing for the region to renegotiate its political interests ahead of the 2027 elections.
There has also been growing pressure from political leaders and influential figures within the broad-based government for President Ruto to consider opening up the Deputy President position for political negotiations ahead of the next election.
However, Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma M'Ethingia dismissed any suggestion that the position could be up for grabs before 2032.
“We want the whole world to know that the office of the Deputy President is occupied; it is not vacant. Today, for the avoidance of doubt, we declare that Kenya's Deputy President is Kithure Kindiki,” he said.
“The only time anyone can discuss that office is in 2032 after President William Ruto has completed his term. Those saying they want power should know that power already has an owner, and that owner is Kithure Kindiki. That is our position as the Ameru community,” Mutuma added.
The elders also resolved to mobilise the Ameru community to support both Kindiki and President Ruto in the 2027 General Election.
“Njuri Ncheke strongly urges the Ameru people to stand firmly with our son Kithure Kindiki, and to overwhelmingly support His Excellency William Samoei Ruto,” the declaration stated.
Outgoing Njuri Ncheke chairman Linus Kathera called on leaders from Mt Kenya West to reciprocate the support the Ameru community has historically offered presidents from the region.
“Sisi na watu wa Mt. Kenya West ni ndugu... tumewaunga mkono tangu siku za Jomo Kenyatta, Mwai Kibaki na Uhuru Kenyatta. Hata nao wakati huu watuunge mkono na washikilie mtoto wetu Kithure Kindiki,” Kathera said.
The endorsement gives Kindiki a significant political boost as he seeks to consolidate his position within the Mt Kenya East bloc and strengthen his influence ahead of the 2027 succession contest.
Accepting the elders’ endorsement, Kindiki thanked the Njuri Ncheke for the honour and pledged to work diligently to justify the confidence placed in him by the Ameru community.
“I want to thank the elders and assure the community that I will not let them down. I will work hard and skillfully, with God helping me, so that we are not told that we were given a big seat and we failed to deliver,” Kindiki said.
He pledged to continue supporting President Ruto in his capacity as Deputy President, expressing confidence that Ruto would secure a second term in the 2027 election.
Kindiki also extended an olive branch to Meru leaders holding divergent political views, urging them to join the government and work together for the benefit of the region.
He specifically appealed to former Meru Governor Peter Munya, former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi and former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza to consider joining the government.
The Njuri Ncheke endorsement is likely to intensify political debate in the Mt Kenya region, particularly over who will speak for the region and negotiate its interests in the run-up to the 2027 General Election.
