President William Ruto Names Kindiki as His Pick for Deputy President

President William Ruto has officially nominated Interior Cabinet Secretary Professor Kithure Kindiki as the new Deputy President of Kenya, following the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua by the Senate on Thursday.

Key Highlights:

Kindiki Nominated as Deputy President: Interior CS Kithure Kindiki has been picked by President Ruto to replace the ousted DP, Rigathi Gachagua.
Announcement in Parliament: National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula confirmed the nomination during Friday’s parliamentary session, officially notifying MPs of the President’s decision.
Popular Choice Among Kenyans: An Infotrak poll showed Kindiki was the preferred choice among 20% of Kenyans, making him a popular pick to replace Gachagua.

President Ruto’s official nomination

During today’s National Assembly session, Speaker Wetangula announced the nomination, stating, “I have a message from the President on the nomination of Prof. Kithure Kindiki EGH to fill the vacancy in the Office of the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya.”

Kindiki’s selection comes after weeks of speculation following the tabling of Gachagua’s impeachment motion by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse. Despite other big names in the race, Kindiki, known for his competence in governance, emerged as the frontrunner for the position.

Public support for Kindiki

In a recent opinion poll conducted by Infotrak, the Interior CS ranked as the top choice for Gachagua’s replacement, securing 20% of the respondents’ support. Other contenders for the position included Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, Homabay Governor Gladys Wanga, and opposition leader Raila Odinga. However, Kindiki’s strong leadership and public image propelled him ahead of the competition.

Kindiki’s track record and popularity

Prof. Kindiki has consistently been recognised as one of the top-performing cabinet secretaries in Ruto’s administration. Earlier this year, a separate Infotrak survey awarded Kindiki a B grade, praising his competence, service delivery, and communication skills. His efforts in addressing pressing national security concerns have made him a standout figure in the government.

Nevertheless, Kindiki has not been without controversy. His role during the June 2024 Gen Z demonstrations, where police brutality was heavily criticised, placed him under public scrutiny. Despite this, his strong performance as Interior CS and his leadership abilities continue to be recognised.

A new chapter for Kenya’s politics

Kindiki’s nomination as Deputy President comes at a time of political uncertainty for Kenya. With the historical ouster of Rigathi Gachagua, President Ruto now faces the challenge of convincing Kenyans that his administration can still deliver on its ambitious manifesto, especially with growing pressure on the government’s ability to fulfil its promises.