In a major political development, President William Ruto has tapped Prof. Kithure Kindiki to be Kenya’s new Deputy President following the ousting of Rigathi Gachagua by Parliament.
The announcement was formally communicated to the National Assembly on Friday morning by Speaker Moses Wetangula.
“I have received a communication from the President regarding the nomination of Prof. Kindiki to fill the vacant Deputy President post, created by the recent impeachment of the previous officeholder,” stated Wetangula during his address to the House, citing Standing Order 42(1).
Prof. Kindiki, currently holding the position of Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, now faces the challenge of gaining approval from Parliament.
The Assembly has 60 days to deliberate and vote on his nomination.
Should the legislators give their nod, Kindiki will be officially appointed as Deputy President, though the Constitution does not provide a strict timeline for this appointment.
Born in Tharaka Nithi County 52 years ago, Kindiki’s journey began at Irunduni Primary School and later took him to Lenana School.
He earned his law degree at the University of Nairobi, followed by a Master’s and a PhD from the University of Pretoria.
Before entering politics, he was a respected academic, teaching law at both Moi University and the University of Nairobi, with additional stints as a guest lecturer overseas.
Kindiki’s entrance into public service came in 2008, when President Mwai Kibaki appointed him Secretary for National Cohesion and Reconciliation.
However, he resigned just three months into the role, citing frustration over the government’s failure to fully address the needs of post-election violence victims.
His national profile skyrocketed when President Ruto, then a prominent political figure, appointed him to his legal defense team during the International Criminal Court (ICC) proceedings.
This exposure paved the way for Kindiki’s political career, which saw him win the Tharaka Nithi Senate seat in 2013 under the TNA party banner.
He was re-elected for a second term and served as Deputy Speaker, though his tenure was cut short amid rising tensions within the ruling coalition, leading to his removal from the Senate.
Despite the setback, Kindiki has remained a key figure in President Ruto’s administration, serving as the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration.
His nomination as Deputy President is seen by many as a strategic move to solidify the president’s support base.
Gachagua, the former Deputy President, was impeached following an intense two-day session in the Senate.
Senators supported five out of eleven charges against him, with gross violations of the Constitution among the key reasons cited for his removal.
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