Kenya President Ruto nominates Kithure Kindiki as new deputy

Kenyan President William Ruto has nominated Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki as his new deputy, just a day after the Senate voted to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Gachagua, who was hospitalized and unable to defend himself during the proceedings, faced 11 charges and was ousted on five counts, including undermining the judiciary and gross misconduct. Despite his lawyer Paul Muite’s request to delay the vote due to Gachagua’s illness, the impeachment proceeded with 281 MPs voting in favor, 44 against, and one abstention.

Moses Wetang’ula, Speaker of Parliament, announced on Friday that President Ruto had formally nominated Kindiki, a close ally who has served as interior minister throughout Ruto’s presidency. Kindiki previously represented Tharaka Nithi County as a senator and was a strong contender for Ruto’s running mate in the 2022 election.

Parliament will now vote on Kindiki’s nomination before he can be sworn in as deputy president. Gachagua, who has maintained that the impeachment was politically motivated, vowed to fight the charges against him.

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