President William Samoei Ruto has nominated the Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kithure Kindiki, for the position of Deputy President following the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua.

The National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, on October 18, 2024, communicated the President’s decision to Members of Parliament (MPs), setting the stage for deliberations on Kindiki’s appointment.

The Deputy President’s office had become vacant after the Senate confirmed Gachagua’s impeachment on October 17, 2024.

Ruto forwarded Kindiki’s nomination to the National Assembly for consideration in the move to fulfill the vacant seat.

Kindiki, having previously held the position of Interior CS and receiving extensive praise for his leadership, is now set to assume the country’s second-highest office, subject to parliamentary confirmation.

According to the notice (No. 13400), Gachagua’s impeachment was conducted in line with Article 150 (1)(b) and (2) of the constitution, as well as Article 145 (2), following the approval of the motion by the National Assembly on October 8, 2024.

These included flagrant violations of many provisions of the constitution, misconduct, and major questions about his devotion to the country’s laws and institutions. He was found guilty of wrongdoing incompatible with the function of Deputy President for his attacks on the National Security Intelligence Service and its officers.

The government has started to withdraw the benefits Gachagua received while serving as Kenya’s deputy president.

This occurs as Gachagua is still recovering at the Karen Hospital after falling ill during the peak of his impeachment trial in the Senate.

The now former deputy president is also expected to vacate his official residence in Karen following the Senate’s overwhelming vote to remove him from office.