Kehinde Fajobi
Kenyan President William Ruto has nominated his interior minister, Kithuri Kindiki, as deputy president following the historic impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua.
Gachagua, Ruto’s running mate in the 2022 election, was removed from office on Thursday after the Senate found him guilty of five out of 11 charges, including “gross violation” of the constitution.
The charges ranged from threatening judges to practising ethically divisive politics, though he was cleared of corruption and money laundering accusations.
The Senate vote occurred despite Gachagua’s absence after he was rushed to a Nairobi hospital with chest pains.
His lawyers had requested a delay, but the Senate pushed ahead, leading to a dramatic walkout by his legal team.
Gachagua remains hospitalised under observation, with his doctor, cardiologist Dan Gikonyo, reporting that his condition is stable.
Kindiki, a 52-year-old academic and political figure, was nominated as Gachagua’s replacement shortly after the impeachment. National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula urged parliamentarians to vote swiftly on Kindiki’s appointment.
Kindiki has been serving as interior minister for two years, though he has faced criticism for his handling of police responses to anti-government protests earlier this year.
Gachagua’s downfall is the result of a falling out with Ruto, despite helping him win the 2022 election by securing votes from Kenya’s critical Mount Kenya region.
Kenyan newspapers on Friday reflected the national shock, with The Standard’s headline simply reading “Fired.”
Though Gachagua denies the charges and no criminal proceedings have been initiated, he can challenge the impeachment in court. However, previous legal attempts to stop the process failed.
Gachagua had hinted that the impeachment could not have happened without President Ruto’s approval, though Ruto has made no public comment on the matter.