President Ruto nominates CS Kindiki as next Deputy President

President William Ruto has nominated CS Kithure Kindiki as the next Deputy President following the ouster of now-former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

The nomination comes after a special meeting that was held at the State House on Friday, October 18, 2024.

Kindiki who currently serves as the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration will need Parliament's approval to take over as the new DP.

The National Assembly will vote on the nomination of Kindiki within 60 days of receiving the name.

He will then be appointed by the President as the next Deputy President.

The Gachagua Ouster 

The Senate voted on Thursday night to uphold five of the 11 charges brought against him by Kibwezi West MP Mwingi Mutuse.

Special Sitting 

The National Assembly has convened for Special Sittings on Friday morning and afternoon.

While the Order Paper did not include the approval of the DP as part of the business, speculations are high that Gachagua's replacement will be part of the agenda.

Taking to her X-handle, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru congratulated Professor Kindiki on the nomination.

"My brother Professor @KindikiKithure, my sincere congratulations. To you, history has placed an honor and responsibility accorded to only a few. May God guide you and HE  @WilliamsRuto   as you lead this great country to achieve its tremendous potential.  To those who supported me in this position, I thank you. We must now dedicate our efforts to building a better Kenya under the leadership of HE William Samoei Ruto and HE Abraham Kithure Kindiki. #mbeleikosawa @KenyaGovernors," Waiguru said. 

According to the Constitution, when a vacancy in the office of the Deputy President arises, President Ruto is expected to nominate a person to fill the vacancy, and the National Assembly shall vote on the nomination within sixty days of receiving it.

"Within fourteen days after a vacancy in the office of Deputy President arises, the President shall nominate a person to fill the vacancy and the National Assembly shall vote on the nomination within sixty days after receiving it,'' reads Article 149(1) of the Constitution.

This means that nothing is barring President Ruto from announcing Gachagua’s replacement within hours after the Senate’s decision.

Nothing also stops the House from considering and approving the nominee’s name on the first of the provided sixty days.