Kindiki Warns Opposition: Prepare for a Bruising Battle Ahead of 2027 Polls
Kithure Kindiki, the Deputy President of Kenya, has issued a pointed warning to opposition parties, stating that the upcoming 2027 general election will not be an exercise in empty slogans but a full‑scale contest. Speaking during a people empowerment forum in Kangundo Constituency on June 7, 2025, Kindiki said his camp has refrained from confrontational politics so far but will not be passive once the campaign season begins. He asserted: We have people roaming around inciting and spreading tribal rhetoric … Some have mistaken our restraint for weakness. Let me tell you: when the time for campaigns comes, we will square it out.
Kindiki reiterated that many opposition figures who now cast themselves as champions of change spent previous stints in government without delivering meaningful development. He admonished: Those who were ministers and serving in other positions will have to account for their time. They shouldn’t think they can come and incite people on empty promises, expecting to be elected.
The Deputy President emphasized that his party will focus on continuing development work and will only engage in political battles when the campaign begins in earnest. His message underscores an intention to shift the political discussion away from personality and rhetoric toward record, accountability and the government’s development agenda.
The reaction to Kindiki’s remarks is mixed. Among supporters of the ruling coalition, his stance is seen as a display of readiness and confidence ahead of a high‑stakes election. Conversely, some opposition members view his language as signalling an adversarial campaign environment with potential escalation in partisan confrontation. Analysts note that as the countdown to 2027 begins, the tone of public statements like this one may set the tone for how aggressively both government and opposition engage in mobilising support and defining narratives.
Looking ahead, Kindiki’s speech may mark just the beginning of a more combative phase in Kenya’s politics as we approach the 2027 polls. The key questions now include whether the opposition will successfully pivot from slogans to a robust policy platform, and how the ruling coalition will translate its development record into electoral support. The coming months will put both credibility and strategy to the test as Kenya prepares for one of its most closely watched elections yet.