Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has publicly criticized Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s recent calls for a “one man, one vote, one shilling” principle and Mt. Kenya unity, emphasizing the need for national, rather than sectional, leadership.
In a series of pointed social media posts, Kindiki underscored the constitutional obligations of the President and Deputy President to foster national unity and inclusion, arguing that their involvement in regional or ethnic agendas violates public trust and the principles of national service.
“The ongoing public debate on the best ways of promoting national unity, inclusion, and shared prosperity boosts both our democratic credentials and the quest for a free, secure, and stable Kenya,” Kindiki stated. He emphasized that as symbols of national unity, the President and Deputy President must prioritize the collective good of the entire nation over sub-national interests.
Kindiki delineated the roles within governance, stating that lower-tier leaders and elders should handle regional and community-specific matters. “Open and direct involvement in pursuing ethnic or other sectarian interests while holding a national office…is unconstitutional and a violation of public trust,” he asserted.
The Interior Cabinet Secretary’s remarks come in the wake of Gachagua’s campaign promoting the “one man, one vote, one shilling” slogan, which Kindiki criticized as “sexist against women” and contrary to the inclusive language of the Constitution. “As a purported principle of resource allocation, the framers of the Constitution of Kenya rejected it for its potential to fuel sectional interests to the detriment of the nation as an indivisible whole,” he noted.
Kindiki referenced Article 203 of the Constitution, which establishes a balanced framework for resource allocation, considering economic disparities and affirmative action to advance national unity and cohesion. He stressed that the Constitution obliges consideration of “economic disparities within and among counties and the need to remedy them,” and “the need for affirmative action in respect of disadvantaged areas or groups.”
The Interior Minister’s critique is rooted in a broader mandate assigned to his ministry, which includes promoting national cohesion and integration, as well as upholding national values. “For the record, Executive Order No. 1 of 2022 and subsequent orders on the organization of Government designate the promotion of national cohesion and integration as one of the mandates of the Interior Ministry,” he clarified.
Kindiki concluded with a strong endorsement of national unity: “One Nation, one Flag, one People,” reaffirming that national unity is foundational to Kenya’s national security.
