This week, former Tharaka Nithi Senator professor Kithure Kindiki was appointed by President William Ruto to head the Interior Ministry, thrusting him to head one of the most powerful ministries in the Cabinet.
However, looking at his first stab at secondary education, no one would think Kindiki would rise to such a position.
Born to a Methodist of Kenya (MCK) Reverend, Kindiki grew up in the rural areas of Tharaka, Tharaka Nithi County. He attended primary school in the 80s at Kamatungu Primary School, located in the scorching sun of Marimanti Town, the headquarters of the Tharaka constituency. Interestingly, Kindiki’s headteacher during the years was his elder brother Jonah Kindiki who happens to be a professor also.
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He proceeded to Lenana High School in Nairobi, scoring a C (Plain) in KCSE. The grade did not qualify him to join a university, so he had to make another stab. He joined Tharaka Boys high school back home, scoring a B (Plain), earning him a slot at Moi University to pursue a bachelor of Law.
Kindiki would then get a scholarship to pursue a master’s degree at the University of Pretoria, from which he also earned his PhD.
He started his teaching career in 1999 as a lecturer at Moi University and later moved to the University of Nairobi. He later returned to Moi University School of Law as the departmental head in 2005.
His achievements started being noticed in 2008 when Mwai Kibaki appointed him as the secretary for the National Cohesion and Integration Commission. He would later resign, citing a lack of goodwill from the political class to address the aftermath of the 2008 post-election violence, PEV.
Kindiki became a household name when William Ruto appointed him to his legal team at the ICC after being accused of responsibility in the 2008 PEV.
Representing Ruto at the ICC brought him to the limelight, making him popular at his home in Tharaka, a marginalised area that had no person recognizable at the national level.
Kindiki capitalized on his popularity to win the 2013 senatorial election, which was his political debut. He would later be appointed the leader of the majority under Uhuru’s first administration. He retained the seat in 2017 and was appointed the deputy speaker of the Senate.
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He became one of the casualties of the bad blood between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy Ruto over his allegiance to the then DP. He was deposed from the deputy speaker position as disquiet in the UhuRuto government intensified.
Kindiki became very active in President Ruto’s politics on the eve of the 2022 election, almost becoming Ruto’s running mate before being dramatically outpowered by the current DP Rigathi Gachagua.
His dalliance with Ruto since the ICC case has lasted till today, becoming a huge contributor to his appointment to the powerful security ministry.
![Joseph Kinyua . Photo/[courtesy]](https://thesharpdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/QPkktkpTURBXy9lY2NhZjQ5ZmMxNTYwNTJhOTJlNmI1OGI2MDFjZTRhMy5qcGeSlQPNBD_Mhc0F-s0DXJMFzQKAzQFA-350x250.jpg)
![Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi [L] confers Deputy Clerk, National Assembly Sarah Kioko with Moran of the Burning Spear (MBS) in this photo taken on May 17, 2022 at parliament buildings that was awarded by President Uhuru Kenyatta in recognition of distinguished and outstanding service rendered to the nation and the word in various capacities and responsibilities.
Photo | Jeff Angote | Nation](https://thesharpdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/serah-kioko-350x250.jpg)
