Following the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua on Thursday night, President William Ruto has nominated Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to fill the vacant position of Deputy President.
Highlights
- Gachagua has been impeached
- Kithure Kindiki has been appointed as deputy president
- Netizens have reacted differently on his appointment
The nomination has been submitted to the National Assembly, where Members of Parliament are expected to vote on Kindiki’s appointment. Speaker Moses Wetang’ula made the announcement during a special sitting convened on Friday.
“I have received a message from the President regarding the nomination of Professor Kithure Kindiki to occupy the office of the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya,” Wetang’ula stated.
Parliamentary Process
According to the Constitution, once the President submits a nomination to the National Assembly, MPs must vote to either endorse or reject the candidate. Notably, there is no requirement for a two-thirds majority for approval. Should Kindiki receive the necessary support, he will be sworn into office immediately.
Fans react
Kithure Kindiki’s appointment has led to mixed reactions among netizens across all social media platforms.
”Wemetoa mkora wakaleta professor wa ukora 😂🤭,” one Instagram user reacted to the post
”Hata ex huwa hamove on haraka hivo 😂,” another user reacted
Check out more reactions on the post below;
Kithure Kindiki’s Background
Kindiki has served as the Interior Cabinet Secretary for approximately two years. Prior to this role, he was the Senator for Tharaka Nithi County for two terms, totaling a decade in the Senate.
In the lead-up to the 2022 general elections, Kindiki was considered a frontrunner to be Ruto’s running mate, but ultimately, the President chose Gachagua for the role. Kindiki later explained that he believed Gachagua’s age would foster better mutual understanding between them.
Anticipated Replacement
As discussions surrounding Gachagua’s impeachment intensified, speculation grew about Kindiki being next in line for the Deputy President position. Various opinion leaders and polls indicated that he was a favored choice for the role, should Gachagua’s ouster succeed.
Additionally, Kindiki garnered endorsements from at least 69 elected leaders from the broader Mt. Kenya region, who expressed their support for him as a vital link to the Kenya Kwanza administration. He also received backing from Members of County Assemblies and youth groups, further solidifying his position as a strong candidate for Deputy President.
As the National Assembly prepares to vote, all eyes will be on Kindiki, whose appointment could reshape the political landscape in Kenya.
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