Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has called on opposition leaders to account for what they achieved while in public office, as he made the case for the Kenya Kwanza administration's re-election ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking on Wednesday during a tour of development projects in Kiambu County, Kindiki said the government was prepared to present its record to voters after close to four years in power, according to The Star, Kenya. He argued that the administration had performed better than expected in several areas of the economy.
The Deputy President inspected and launched projects in Kabete, Kiambu and Ruiru constituencies, where he said the government was carrying out the pledges in its campaign manifesto.
Why it matters
Kindiki's remarks set up the terms of the 2027 contest. The Star, Kenya reports that he wants the election fought on delivery rather than personality, and he is asking opposition figures who have held office to defend their own time in government.
His challenge also signals how the ruling coalition intends to campaign: by pointing to projects it says are visible across the country, and by contrasting its record with that of previous administrations. Kindiki accused earlier governments of failing to carry out their development plans once in office, The Star, Kenya reports.
The record Kindiki is presenting
Kindiki said the government had honoured the promises it made to voters, listing roads, education, agriculture, electricity connections and affordable housing among the areas where he said progress had been made.
According to The Star, Kenya, he cited more than 6,000 kilometres of roads under construction nationwide and 600 modern markets at different stages of development. He also pointed to agricultural reforms that he said had raised farmers' earnings, expanded last-mile electricity connections, the hiring of 100,000 teachers, and plans to recruit a further 20,000 teachers before the end of the year.
On housing, Kindiki said the affordable housing programme had created more than 1.1 million jobs at construction sites around the country.
"When it comes to service delivery, fighting poverty, building roads and markets, improving agriculture and advancing education, this government has exceeded all the expectations," he said, according to The Star, Kenya.
He framed the projects as evidence of a government keeping faith with voters, saying the pledges being implemented included markets, roads, electricity and support for farmers.
What the Kiambu tour covered
In Kiambu County, The Star, Kenya reports that the government is running projects worth billions of shillings. These include 1,656 kilometres of roads estimated at Sh152 billion, 31 modern markets, affordable housing developments and hostels. The county has also received 14 milk coolers.
During Wednesday's visit, Kindiki launched construction of the Muthure-Njathaini Road in Kabete, a project put at Sh330 million, and inspected other road works in the constituency.
In Kiambu Constituency, he launched the construction of Kirigiti Primary and Junior School and inspected Kangangi Modern Market. In Ruiru, he inspected the Rainbow-Gikumaru Road, launched the Gikumaru-Ruiru TTI Road project, and assessed hostel construction at Ruiru Technical Training Institute.
Kindiki said the projects showed the administration's commitment to improving services and widening economic opportunities.
The challenge to opponents
The Deputy President directed his message at opposition politicians hoping to unseat President William Ruto, saying they should explain their achievements in public office and offer alternative policies rather than rely on insults and confrontation.
"Anyone seeking votes must explain the work they have done for the people. Our opponents have served in office and they must tell Kenyans what they did for them," he said, according to The Star, Kenya.
Kindiki also said he would keep up the government's campaign against illicit alcohol and drug abuse, and promised action against manufacturers, suppliers and the cartels blamed for the problem.
The tour drew ICT Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo, several Members of Parliament from Kiambu County and former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria, among other leaders.
The Star, Kenya also reported separately that Kindiki said the government would complete projects in all 290 constituencies, and that Ruto was ready to face Kenyans with a development scorecard before the 2027 polls.
What to watch: whether the government publishes a full delivery scorecard, and how opposition leaders respond to Kindiki's demand that they defend their own records.
