Kenya's President Nominates Interior Minister as New Deputy After Impeachment Vote

 

Kenyan President William Ruto has nominated Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki as his new deputy, following the Senate's decision to impeach Rigathi Gachagua. The nomination took place on Friday and was swiftly approved by Parliament. However, a High Court order in Nairobi has temporarily halted the appointment, stating that Kindiki's position as deputy president and the Senate's impeachment resolution will be suspended until October 24, when judges will review the matter.

Gachagua was impeached while hospitalized late Thursday, and his supporters criticized the impeachment process as hasty. They argued that senators denied requests for additional days to allow Gachagua time to recover and address the Senate. The impeachment highlights existing divisions within Ruto's ruling party and tensions between the president and Gachagua regarding government policies.

Kithure Kindiki, 52, was a prominent candidate for the deputy president role during the 2022 elections and is also from the influential Mount Kenya region, similar to Gachagua. He has been a close ally of President Ruto and has held the interior ministry position throughout Ruto’s two-year term.

In a surprising turn of events, a majority of lawmakers in the National Assembly voted to impeach Gachagua on 11 charges, including corruption and inciting ethnic tensions. As a result, he has lost his retirement benefits and is barred from holding any public office in the future.

Gachagua’s lawyer, Paul Muite, reported that Gachagua had been hospitalized due to severe chest pains and had requested a delay in the Senate proceedings. Despite his absence, the Senate proceeded with the impeachment vote. Gachagua, who has consistently denied the charges against him, has initiated legal action to contest the impeachment process, but the court has allowed the proceedings to continue.

Gachagua had previously been a key supporter of Ruto in the 2022 elections, helping to secure significant support from central Kenya. However, recent reports indicate he has been sidelined as political dynamics within the government have shifted. In July, Ruto reshuffled his cabinet, appointing opposition members to form what he described as a unity government following widespread protests against tax hikes that resulted in numerous fatalities.