Ending weeks of speculation and silence, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has resurfaced with a sharp rebuke for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), declaring himself a master tactician who will not be easily unseated from the presidency’s side.

The "missing man" of Kenyan politics is back, and he has come out swinging. After a conspicuous absence from the public eye that fueled rumors of a fallout with President William Ruto, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki reappeared today at a wedding in Tigoni, Kiambu County. He wasted no time in addressing the elephant in the room: the aggressive posturing of the ODM brigade, which has been eyeing his seat as the prize for their cooperation with the Kenya Kwanza government.

In a speech that was equal parts sermon and stump speech, Kindiki described himself as a "fundi wa siasa" (political technician), a moniker intended to remind his detractors that his quiet demeanor masks a sharp strategic mind. "I hear people making noise," he told the guests. "Let them know that I am not a squatter in this government. I am here by right, and I am here to stay."

The ODM Threat

The context of his outburst is the ongoing realignment of Kenyan politics ahead of the 2027 general election. ODM stalwarts, emboldened by the "broad-based government" arrangement, have been agitating for a more formal stake in the executive. Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga recently stated that for ODM to support Ruto’s re-election, the running mate slot must be on the table.

Kindiki’s response today was a direct line drawn in the sand. He dismissed the opposition’s demands as "vitisho" (threats) and "political daydreams."

• The Message: He is the loyal lieutenant who has stood by Ruto through the trenches, unlike the "newcomers" from ODM.
• The Strategy: By reasserting his value as a "fundi," Kindiki is signaling to the Mt. Kenya region and the UDA base that he is the indispensable bridge between the President and the electorate.

Dispelling the Rumors

Kindiki also took time to address his recent disappearance. "I was on a much-needed holiday," he laughed, brushing off claims of a split with the Head of State. "The President and I are one. There is no crack. Those waiting for a divorce will wait until Jesus comes."

This reassurance is critical. In recent weeks, whispers in the corridors of power suggested that Kindiki was being sidelined in favor of the more boisterous opposition figures now cozying up to the State House. By appearing in Tigoni—the heartland of Kikuyu wealth and influence—and speaking with such confidence, Kindiki is attempting to consolidate his backyard.

The Road to 2027

The Deputy President’s "fundi" comment is likely to become a defining soundbite. It frames the coming battle not as a clash of personalities, but of competence. He is positioning himself as the mechanic who keeps the government engine running, while painting his rivals as mere passengers looking for a ride.

However, the pressure is far from over. ODM leader Oburu Oginga, while softening his tone slightly today by saying they don’t want Kindiki’s seat "specifically," insisted that the party must have "authority" in the next government. This semantic dance suggests that while Kindiki may be safe for now, the price of ODM’s friendship with Ruto is rising by the day.

"I am a silent worker, but do not mistake silence for weakness," Kindiki warned. "When the time comes, the fundi will show his work."