A fresh political confrontation has emerged between Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua following a heated exchange over constitutional interpretation and President William Ruto’s tenure in office.
The dispute stems from remarks made by Gachagua during a public engagement on Tuesday, where he questioned Kindiki’s interpretation of constitutional provisions relating to presidential terms.
Gachagua criticised the Deputy President for insisting that the Constitution provides for a President to serve two terms, arguing that such remarks undermined Kindiki’s reputation as one of the country’s respected legal scholars.
In his comments, Gachagua suggested that Kindiki was misreading constitutional provisions and accused him of advancing positions intended to please President Ruto rather than reflect the true spirit of the law.
The former Deputy President further argued that if the Constitution’s framers intended a guaranteed two-term presidency, they would have expressly stated that a President should serve for ten years.
He also linked declining public support for the Kenya Kwanza administration to what he described as unmet promises made to Kenyans.
However, Kindiki responded strongly on Wednesday, dismissing Gachagua’s criticism and defending both his legal credentials and understanding of constitutional matters.
The Deputy President challenged Gachagua’s grasp of constitutional law, noting that he had spent many years studying not only Kenya’s Constitution but also numerous constitutions from across the world.
Kindiki also accused Gachagua of engaging in divisive politics and damaging the reputation of the Mt Kenya region through his leadership style.
In a strongly worded response, the Deputy President questioned whether Gachagua was in a position to lecture him on constitutional matters, while maintaining that he would respond more comprehensively at an appropriate time.
The exchange marks the latest chapter in the growing political rivalry between the two leaders, who once served together in government before their relationship deteriorated following Gachagua’s impeachment and subsequent political realignment.
Despite the sharp criticism, Kindiki reaffirmed his position on presidential terms, maintaining that the Constitution contemplates a two-term framework through which a President initiates and completes policy programmes and development projects.
Political observers view the latest clash as part of the broader contest for influence within the Mt Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election.
With both leaders continuing to mobilise support across the region, the public exchange is likely to fuel further debate on leadership, constitutional interpretation and the future direction of regional politics.
The latest remarks underscore the widening political divide between the two camps, setting the stage for more intense engagements as the country gradually shifts focus towards the next election cycle.
