Nairobi, Kenya | By Michael Wandati | President William Ruto has put forward the nomination of Prof. Kithure Kindiki to succeed former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, following Gachagua’s impeachment by Parliament.
The nomination was officially announced on Friday 18, October 2024 morning by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula during a communication to the House.
“Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 42(1), I wish to report to the House that today morning I have received a message from the President regarding the nomination of Kithure Kindiki to fill the vacancy which has occurred in the Office of the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya following the impeachment of the previous office holder,” stated Wetangula.
Prof. Kithure Kindiki, currently serving as Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, has been nominated by President William Ruto to replace former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who was recently impeached by Parliament. Speaker Moses Wetangula announced the nomination to the National Assembly on Friday.
Prof. Kindiki’s appointment requires approval from the National Assembly, which must vote on the nomination within 60 days. Upon receiving Parliament’s approval, the President is expected to formally appoint Kindiki as Deputy President.
Kindiki, born in Irunduni village, Tharaka Nithi County, attended Irunduni Primary School and Lenana School before earning a law degree from the University of Nairobi. He furthered his studies with a Master’s degree and a PhD from the University of Pretoria. He later taught law at Moi and Nairobi universities and occasionally lectured abroad.
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Kindiki’s political career gained momentum after serving on Deputy President Ruto’s legal team during the International Criminal Court (ICC) trial for crimes against humanity. He then successfully ran for the Tharaka Nithi Senate seat in 2013 under the TNA party, serving two terms.
During his tenure, he rose to become Deputy Speaker, though he was later impeached amid political tensions between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President Ruto.
Following his removal, Kindiki joined Ruto’s cabinet and currently holds the position of Interior Cabinet Secretary. His nomination comes after Rigathi Gachagua was removed from office when Senators upheld five of the eleven charges against him, including gross violations of the Constitution.
