Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki has escalated the battle for political influence in Mt Kenya, appearing to directly target Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku over his frequent church appearances across the region.
Speaking during the 36th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service of the ACK Diocese of Embu at Kigari Teachers Training College on Sunday, Kindiki cautioned leaders against turning churches into political battlegrounds, saying places of worship must unite rather than divide Kenyans.
“The Church, just like the State, exists to promote harmony, peaceful coexistence and unity,” the Deputy President said, in remarks widely interpreted as a rebuke of leaders accused of using church pulpits to advance political agendas.
Without naming Ruku, Kindiki warned against leaders moving from one church to another spreading political division, even as competition for influence in the vote-rich Mt Kenya region intensifies ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The Deputy President reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working closely with faith-based institutions, saying the Church remains a key partner in strengthening moral values, promoting social cohesion and supporting national development.
Kindiki’s remarks are expected to fuel fresh political debate, coming amid growing speculation over shifting alliances and an increasingly visible contest for influence within the Kenya Kwanza coalition as leaders position themselves for the 2027 polls.
