In a decisive vote at the National Assembly on Friday, October 18, 2024, Members of Parliament (MPs) overwhelmingly approved the nomination of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki as Kenya’s new Deputy President, cementing a major shift in the nation’s political landscape following the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua.
The vote, which saw an unprecedented show of unity, ended with 236 MPs voting in favour of Kindiki’s nomination.
Not a single abstention or opposition vote was recorded, underscoring a rare display of parliamentary consensus.
Following the announcement of the results, Speaker Moses Wetang’ula formally declared Kindiki as the Deputy President-elect.
“Honourable members, the vote on Professor Kithure Kindiki on the nomination as the Deputy President of Kenya is as follows: Abstentions – nil, Nos – nil, I’s – 236,” Wetang’ula announced.
“The vote is overwhelmingly ‘Yes’. So the nomination is here declared passed by the House, and the Speaker will transmit the results to the President, and the Speaker will also sign a gazette notice to this effect that the nominee for Deputy President has been duly voted by the House and therefore we will transmit to the appointing authority to proceed with the appointment,” The Speaker disclosed his next move after the vote in the House.
Wetang’ula then declared Kindiki the Deputy President-elect and adjourned the House’s proceedings.
“He is now Deputy President-elect. Members, having finished on the issue of the Deputy President-elect, it is now 1:54 pm, and the House will adjourn until this afternoon at 2:30,” Wetang’ula added.
The vote, initially expected to proceed electronically, experienced a technical hitch, leading to an annulment.
MPs were subsequently forced to vote via roll-call, which saw no deviation in the landslide support for Kindiki.
Kindiki’s approval comes in the aftermath of the historic impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, marking a period of political transition in Kenya.
Gachagua, who had been a prominent figure within the Ruto administration, was ousted following claims of corruption, misconduct, and ethnic discrimination, among other charges.
The smooth and unanimous approval of Kindiki as the Deputy President-elect signals a robust backing within Parliament, solidifying his position as the next in line to serve as Kenya’s second in command.
As Kenya now looks to the future, all eyes are on Kindiki, who will play a crucial role in steering President William Ruto’s administration through the country’s myriad challenges, from economic uncertainty to political realignments.
His landslide support in the National Assembly may prove a critical asset as he steps into one of the most powerful positions in the Kenyan government.
Kindiki’s ascent to the role is also seen as a strategic political move for Ruto’s administration, as it seeks to mend internal divisions and strengthen its foothold in the face of rising opposition from various political factions.