Senior counsel Ahmednassir Abdullahi has publicly called on Deputy President Kithure Kindiki to resign as President William Ruto's running mate ahead of the 2027 general election.
Writing on social media platform X, Ahmednassir expressed doubt that President Ruto would drop Kindiki from the ticket but urged the professor to demonstrate political maturity by stepping aside voluntarily. He set an October 2026 deadline for this move, emphasizing that any delay beyond that point would be detrimental.
Ahmednassir's statement reads: "I don't think President William Ruto will drop Prof. Kithure Kindiki as his running mate for the 2027 Presidential election. I think, Prof Kindiki will be very understanding and resign. Either way, it must be before October 2026...or....it will be TOO LATE."
Concerns Over Kindiki's Political Impact
The senior lawyer's remarks came in the wake of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate's heavy defeat in the Ol Kalou by-election, a contest seen as a significant indicator of the ruling party's support in the Mount Kenya region.
Ahmednassir suggested that Kindiki's continued presence on the ticket could harm Ruto's re-election chances, describing the Deputy President as a political liability in the current context. He argued that timely changes to the running mate position are crucial to allow adequate time for political realignment ahead of the election.
Ol Kalou By-Election as a Bellwether
The Ol Kalou by-election dealt a major setback to UDA, with the party losing in a constituency considered vital for Ruto's 2027 campaign strategy. This outcome has intensified debates about the effectiveness of the current presidential ticket.
Ahmednassir's October 2026 deadline reflects his view that any adjustments after that point would be too late to positively influence the campaign's trajectory.
