Kithure Kindiki takes the oath of office as Kenya's new deputy president at Nairobi's Kenyatta International Convention Centre. Photo: Courtesy.
By The Respondent reporter
Nairobi, Kenya — Kithure Kindiki has officially taken office as Kenya’s new deputy president following weeks of intense legal battles. His predecessor, Rigathi Gachagua, who was impeached by parliament, had launched a series of legal challenges seeking to prevent Kindiki’s appointment.
However, on Thursday, the high court lifted the stay orders that had halted Kindiki’s inauguration, allowing the ceremony to proceed. The swearing-in event, held at Nairobi’s Kenyatta International Convention Centre, was attended by President William Ruto, a host of diplomats, and over 100,000 Kenyans. In recognition of the occasion, Friday was declared a national holiday.
Gachagua, removed from office by the Senate in October on charges of gross constitutional violations and inciting ethnic division, has continued to deny the allegations, calling them politically driven.
President Ruto swiftly appointed Kindiki, who previously held the position of interior minister, as his deputy within hours of Gachagua’s impeachment. While Gachagua and his allies filed over 30 legal petitions attempting to block the transition, the judiciary ruled that a prolonged vacancy in the deputy president’s office would contravene constitutional requirements, paving the way for Kindiki's confirmation by parliament on October 18.
In a significant reshuffle late Thursday, Ruto also named Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi as the new interior minister, filling Kindiki’s former position. This appointment follows a period of heightened political friction and protest.
Months of turmoil erupted earlier this year in response to unpopular tax hikes, sparking deadly nationwide demonstrations. In July, Ruto sought to quell the unrest by incorporating opposition members into his cabinet, forming a unity government in an attempt to stabilize East Africa’s largest economy.
Gachagua’s dismissal has highlighted divisions within the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and his deteriorating relationship with Ruto.
Despite his crucial role as Ruto’s running mate in the 2022 election, particularly in securing votes from the influential Mount Kenya region, Gachagua faced accusations of insubordination, particularly after voicing opposition to government-led forced evictions amid heavy rains and flooding. His outspoken stance put him increasingly at odds with Ruto’s administration, contributing to his eventual impeachment.
Kindiki’s swearing-in marks the continuation of a longstanding pattern in Kenyan politics, where presidents and vice presidents have frequently clashed. This political dynamic was recently witnessed in the strained relationship between President Ruto and former President Uhuru Kenyatta, a rift that ultimately defined Kenyatta’s second term.
Despite being chosen as Kenyatta’s running mate, Ruto’s opposition to Kenyatta’s policies led to a public and protracted fallout, setting the stage for Ruto’s presidential campaign. Such rivalries have been a recurring feature in Kenyan politics, underscoring the challenges of maintaining unity within the country’s top leadership.
Kindiki, a former law professor and senator from the Mount Kenya region, was initially considered as Ruto’s running mate in 2022 before he took up the interior minister role. His extensive legal background and political experience have been seen as assets that could aid in navigating the turbulent political landscape and fostering stability within Ruto’s government.