Tharaka-Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki, who lost his bid to become a running mate to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Presidential candidate William Ruto has announced that he is taking a break from active politics over what he has termed as an interruption of his political career by “unseen circumstances” not by design.
Addressing a packed press conference at Tamarind Tree Hotel on Monday, Senator Kindiki has, however, said he will remain available to his country in the future should an opportunity arise to seek leadership positions that may be available at the national level.
He has, however, pledged his support for the DP Ruto and his running mate designate Rigathi Gachagua.
“Earlier today I had the honour and privilege of calling the honourable Rigathi Gachagua to congratulate him on being nominated to this position.
I have communicated to him my deep admiration for his resilience, forecast, and hard work, which has been paid off by the party as a result of yesterday’s achievement,’ Senator Kindiki told journalists at Tamarind Tree Hotel, adding that his candidature was not about him personally.
“I have also wished him well and I have pledged my total and wholeness commitment to support him and our leader Dr. William Ruto as our team launches the homestretch campaign program,” he added.
“And as he (Gachagua) prepares also to take up the mantle of leadership and assist our party leader in steering the team to victory on ninth of August 2022.
I wish them God’s speed,” he noted saying that he will help DP Ruto and Gachagua to deliver a decisive victory in August.
As the United Democratic Alliance Party, come to the end of what he termed as a long journey, a rigorous and protracted process in the process of selection of a running mate, with which he proudly associates himself, he will be proceeding on a break to continue to reorganising himself in readiness for the future, which according to him, he doesn’t know when it will be.
“I will use the break to reorganise myself as I continue to fully support my party UDA and Kenya Kwanzaa coalition to deliver to Kenyans upon assuming office,” he said.
He went on: “I will, however, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Kenya Kwanza coalition now and after the election, but I am not available to perform any functions of an appointed nature whatsoever, this is to allow me to live my dream,” he added. “I will not quit.
I don’t know the language of quitting. I will stay put. I will stay focused. I will speak out I will stay loyal to my friends.
I will stay loyal to my party. And I’m not also quitting the political space. This is my country. This is my homeland.
I am not going anywhere. And I believe this is the best country on earth,” he added. The senator explained that he made a pitch for his UDA party to endorse him to be the running mate of a presidential candidate but did not succeed.
“That is not quitting. I am taking a break and during that interruption, I’ll reorganise myself and come again,” he said.
Narrating his 10-year journey in politics, he said when he left what he termed as an illustrious career in academia and as a technocrat to seek an elective post, his desire was to serve his country and apply his talents from the platform of elective politics.
“So, I want to confirm that is my next step for those who have been asking what I’m planning and I’m sorry if I’ve disappointed anybody. I am very proud of my supporters.
I am very proud of my electorate, and I am very proud of how far Kenyans have traveled in terms of making it possible,” he reckoned. Prof Kindiki, a former Senate Majority leader and Deputy Speaker, thanked his colleagues in the party, especially the Members of Parliament both the National Assembly and Senate, “who have been critical segments in this process.” “They did play a huge role in that process.
And I know a good number of them did support my candidature and as I said at the beginning, it is unlikely and it is actually unprecedented that a senator from my most unlikely corner of this country could get that kind of support from peers or come from far and wide My colleagues, I am truly grateful.
“And I know God willing, we will have an opportunity for me to make it up to you one day, and that day, shall not be too far away,” he held.
