Members of the National Assembly have officially endorsed Kithure Kindiki as the new Deputy President of Kenya, following his nomination by President William Ruto on Friday.
A total of 236 MPs cast their votes in favor of Kindiki, with no votes against and no abstentions.
Speaker Moses Wetang’ula announced the outcome, stating, “The nomination is hereby declared passed by the House.
The results will be communicated to the President, and a gazette notice will be signed to formalize this decision.”
This approval paves the way for President Ruto to appoint Kindiki as his principal assistant, pending a date for the swearing-in ceremony.
Currently serving as the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Kindiki’s nomination was presented to the National Assembly on the same day.
During a special sitting convened for this purpose, Speaker Wetang’ula confirmed receipt of the presidential nomination for Kindiki to fill the Deputy President position.
According to the Constitution, once a nomination is submitted to the National Assembly, MPs must vote to either approve or reject it, without the need for a two-thirds majority.
Some MPs had raised concerns about the legality of voting on the same day as the nomination, but Wetang’ula clarified that this procedure complies with constitutional timelines.
“Voting on the same day as the nomination is permissible under the Constitution,” he remarked.
Regarding the absence of public participation in the approval process, Wetang’ula explained that this requirement does not apply to nominations for elective positions within Parliament, including the Speaker and Deputy Speaker roles.
He reiterated that the House’s established practice allows for immediate voting on such matters without public input, emphasizing that the constitutional framework under Article 149(1) permits the House to vote upon receiving a nomination without the need for public participation.
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