Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Kiture Kindiki now replaces Rigathi Gachagua as the country’s Deputy President.
President William Ruto nominated Kindiki as DP nominee on October 18 and his name subsequently cleared by Parliament.
This followed the impeachment of Gachagua by National Assembly and the Senate.
Gachagua however dashed to court to challenge his impeachment by Parliament. He initially obtained conservatory orders stopping Kindiki’s swearing in as DP.
However, a three-judge bench, comprising judges Eric Ogola, Antony Mrima and Freda Mugambi, on October 31st ruled that the conservatory orders issued on October 18 blocking Kindiki’s swearing in had to be discharged.
Their ruling emphasised that the constitution does not permit the DP’s office to remain vacant, as this would disrupt government operations.
“Issuing the conservatory orders sought would mean a de facto suspension of provisions of the Constitution,” Justice Mrima said in the ruling.
With Gachagua now officially impeached, Kindiki become Kenya’s third DP under the 2010 Constitution.
But who is Kithure Kindiki?
Kindiki holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from Moi University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law, a Master of Laws (LL.M) degree, and a Doctorate (Ph.D.) in International Law from the University of Pretoria in South Africa.
Peers have described him as a public servant and Professor of Law with a stellar track record and extensive experience in public administration, governance, public policy, law making, legal advisory and constitutional affairs at municipal and international levels.
Born in 1972, the father of three as become quite a house
hold name in Kenyan politics.
