- Health CS Aden Duale has publicly named his preferred politician to be President William Ruto's running mate in 2027
- Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has expressed interest in replacing DP Kithure Kindiki on Ruto's presidential ticket
- Duale challenged the notion that Kindiki's Tharaka-Nithi roots should define his political ceiling
Search option is now available at TUKO! Feel free to search the content on topics/people you enjoy reading about in the top right corner ;)
Amos Khaemba is a Current Affairs Editor at TUKO.co.ke, covering political and world news. Khaemba has over four years of journalism experience and joined TUKO.co.ke in 2022.
Nairobi - Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has publicly thrown his support behind Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, declaring him the best person for the job as debate intensifies over who should occupy the second-highest office in the land come 2027.
Source: UGC
Speaking on Sunday, October 25, 2026, Duale placed Kindiki above his predecessors in a direct comparison, saying: "Kenya has the best deputy president ever. In terms of a DP in the context of Kalonzo, Riggy G, Prof. Kindiki is one of the most decent, learned, and intelligent holders of that office."
Can Anne Waiguru replace Kithure Kindiki?
The CS's remarks land at a politically charged moment, with Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru having publicly signalled her interest in joining President William Ruto's ticket as running mate in the next general election.
Waiguru has anchored her pitch on the need for unity within the Mt Kenya region as political figures jostle for position ahead of 2027.
Duale appeared unmoved by that argument, firmly rejecting the idea that Kindiki should be replaced by another figure from the same region. His remarks framed the conversation as one about individual merit rather than regional balancing.
"Nobody from the mlima can beat Kindiki. Don't reduce Kindiki to Tharaka. Who told you an intelligent young man from Tharaka-Nithi cannot become the president of Kenya?" he said.
The statement was a pointed pushback against narratives suggesting that the Mt Kenya political bloc should rotate or consolidate influence by swapping the current deputy president for a more prominent regional figure.
Duale argued that Kindiki's academic credentials and conduct in office set him apart, and that his county of origin should not be used to diminish his prospects.
By invoking the possibility of Kindiki eventually ascending to the presidency, Duale appeared to position the deputy president not merely as a running mate to retain, but as a future political force in his own right.
Waiguru Eyes Ruto's Running Mate Position
As reported earlier, Waiguru confirmed she is actively positioning herself to deputise President Ruto in the 2027 race, a slot currently held by Kindiki.
Asked whether Kindiki's performance had been found wanting, Waiguru was careful to frame her ambition around complementary strengths rather than shortcomings, arguing that she brings a distinct set of skills and numbers that would strengthen Ruto's re-election bid.
Waiguru also cautioned those who may be underestimating the incumbent, describing him as a formidable political operator with unmatched organisational capacity
Source: TUKO.co.ke