President Ruto Nominates Prof. Kithure Kindiki as New Deputy President
President William Ruto has nominated Prof. Kithure Kindiki to take over as Deputy President, following the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Official Announcement
The nomination was announced by Speaker Moses Wetangula in a communication to the National Assembly on Friday morning.
- Speaker Wetangula mentioned that the President had formally submitted Prof. Kindiki’s name for the role.
- This follows the removal of Gachagua by Parliament.
Quote from the Speaker:
“I have received a message from the President regarding the nomination of Kithure Kindiki to fill the vacancy in the Office of the Deputy President of Kenya following the impeachment of the previous office holder,” said Wetangula.
What Happens Next?
Before Prof. Kindiki can take office, the National Assembly must approve his nomination.
- Parliament has 60 days to vote on the nomination.
- If approved, the President will officially appoint Prof. Kindiki as Deputy President.
Although the Constitution doesn’t give a specific timeline for the official appointment, it is expected to happen right after Parliament’s approval.
ALSO READ: Leaders Congratulate Kindiki on His Nomination as Deputy President
Who is Prof. Kithure Kindiki?
Prof. Kindiki has a rich history in both education and public service. Here’s a brief background:
- Age: 52 years old.
- Hometown: Born in Irunduni village, Tharaka Nithi County.
- Education:
- Primary School: Irunduni Primary School.
- High School: Lenana School.
- University: Law degree from the University of Nairobi.
- Postgraduate: Master’s degree and PhD from the University of Pretoria.
- Academic Career: Taught law at Moi University and University of Nairobi. Also, worked as a visiting lecturer abroad.
Political Journey
Prof. Kindiki’s career in public service and politics is extensive:
- 2008: Appointed as Secretary for the National Cohesion and Reconciliation by President Mwai Kibaki but resigned after three months due to political issues in resettling victims of the 2007 post-election violence.
- Legal Career: Represented President Ruto during his International Criminal Court (ICC) trial.
- 2013: Elected as Senator for Tharaka Nithi County on his first attempt under the TNA party.
- Served two terms in the Senate.
- Held the position of Deputy Speaker during his second term.
Prof. Kindiki was later removed from the Senate due to political differences within the government.
Current Role
Before his nomination as Deputy President, Prof. Kindiki was serving as the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration in President Ruto’s government.
Why Was Rigathi Gachagua Impeached?
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was impeached after a two-day Senate hearing. Senators supported five out of eleven grounds for impeachment, including:
- Gross violation of the Constitution.
The impeachment process involved extensive evidence and hours of cross-examination before the final decision to remove Gachagua was made.
Sources
- National Assembly announcement via Speaker Moses Wetangula.
- Parliamentary records on the impeachment process of Rigathi Gachagua.