Ndia MP George Kariuki addressing opinion leaders at his Gacharu residence in Kirinyaga county on August 12, 2026 /ALICE WAITHERANdia MP George Kariuki has thrown his hat into the ring for the Deputy President position, arguing that Kirinyaga should take the coveted seat.
He said Kirinyaga’s central position between Mt Kenya East and West made the county best placed to bridge the emerging divisions over who should succeed Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
“We are the heart of this region. And if we are the heart of this region, when it comes here, those who are in the East will be satisfied. The people of Embu will be satisfied,” Kariuki said.
Speaking at his Gacharu residence, the lawmaker urged Mt Kenya residents to rally behind President William Ruto’s administration, saying the region should avoid divisive politics and instead focus on completing the development agenda initiated by the President.
Kariuki said if leaders from Mt Kenya East and West fail to agree on who should occupy the running mate slot, the position should be taken to Kirinyaga, which he described as the centre of the region.
“And if they agree that it should come here to Kirinyaga, why can’t it be Ndia?” he posed.
The MP’s remarks came as competition for the position of Ruto’s running mate in the 2027 presidential election continues to generate debate across Mt Kenya, with leaders from different parts of the region positioning themselves for the slot.
Kindiki has remained a central figure in discussions over the region’s political future.
However, the question of who will deputise Ruto if he seeks re-election has increasingly drawn interest from politicians seeking to position themselves within Kenya Kwanza succession politics.
The debate has also been shaped by growing attempts to define Mt Kenya politically as either East or West, with leaders from the two blocs seeking greater influence in determining the region’s political direction.
Kariuki argued that such divisions should not be allowed to determine the distribution of political leadership, saying Kirinyaga could provide a compromise because of its geographical position between the two blocs.
He further presented himself as a suitable candidate for the position, citing his two terms as Ndia MP and his loyalty to the President.
The lawmaker said he would spend the next 90 days consulting Mt Kenya leaders and residents before making a final decision on whether to formally declare his interest.
He said he had previously planned his political ambitions early, recalling that he approached Ruto for the chairmanship of the National Assembly Roads Committee after the 2022 elections and was subsequently appointed to the position.
“Who knows, he can also pick me as his running mate after being loyal to him. Kirinyaga people are known for their loyalty,” Kariuki said.
Kariuki said he was not interested in forcing himself on Mt Kenya residents or pushing other leaders aside, but would be ready to offer himself if the region failed to reach consensus.
He argued that politics should be approached with sober judgment rather than emotions, saying Mt Kenya residents were capable of identifying a solution to the leadership question.
“We do not want to start another new journey. We want to complete the journey that was started by President Ruto. Let him serve another five years, then hand over the government to someone else,” he said.
The MP has been meeting groups of grassroots leaders from various counties at his residence and underscored the need to support the government’s development agenda, saying the region stood to benefit from remaining united.
Kariuki said his consultations with leaders and residents would greatly influence his next political move.
