Kenya’s National Assembly nominated Professor Kithure Kithiki to fill the vacancy in the Office of the Deputy President on Friday. However, this nomination came only hours after the Senate voted to remove Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua from office, resulting in the High Court at Kerugoya issuing orders barring Kithiki from assuming his role until October 24.  

The vote to impeach former deputy president Gachagua became the first time in the history of Kenya that an impeachment of this nature has taken place. Gachugaua faced impeachment on 11 grounds, and was alleged to have violated multiple articles of the Kenyan Constitution, the Penal Code, and several acts. All 67 senators found Gachagua guilty on five grounds but absolved him on six charges. The vote was taken without the presence of Gachuaga after he fell ill on the second day of trial. Despite Gachuaga’s counsel asking for a five-day grace period, the Senate chose to move forward with the trial. Following the impeachment, President Ruto chose Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki as his new deputy on Friday.

Kindiki is the Cabinet secretary for the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, and is the chief spokesperson for the ministry, communicating government policies and decisions on security and national administration to the public and guiding national governance.