Kenyan assembly sacks deputy president, President Ruto chooses interior minister as new deputy

The Kenya’s President William Ruto has nominated Minister of Interior Prof Kithure Kindiki as the country new Deputy President, a day after the senate voted to impeach the holder of the office, Rigathi Gachagua.

Penpushing reports that Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula made the new development known, explaining that he received a message from the president, regarding the nomination of Kindiki to fill the vacancy which has occurred in the office

The former Deputy President was n Thursday removed from office by impeachment on five out of 11 charges levelled against him, in an unprecedented move that risks pushing the country towards a political crisis.

Penpushing further reports that it is recalled that the National Assembly earlier last week had voted to impeach Gachagua, who helped President Ruto win an election two years ago, but has been assailed by allies of the President over alleged disloyalty and a series of provocative public comments.

The development makes Gachagua Deputy President to be forced out of office by impeachment, while record has it that fifty-four out of 67 senators voted to dismiss him (Gachagua) on the first count of gross violation of the constitution, more than the two-thirds majority required under the law.

Penpushing also reports that the process, is unlikely to stop there as Gachagua has filed several petitions challenging the push to remove him, and the Chief Justice has appointed a panel of three judges to examine them.

The impeached Gachagua, who has denied the allegations, had been due to defend himself against the charges in the Senate on Thursday afternoon ahead of the vote, but when he failed to show up, his lawyer Paul Muite said he had been hospitalised with intense chest pains.

Penpushing reports that the lawyer urged the Senate to pause proceedings for a couple of days, but the Senate ignored the call, prompting Gachagua’s legal team to leave the chambers in protest.

The Medical Doctor treating the impeached Deputy President, Dr Dan Gikonyo, told journalists that he (Gachagua) was admitted to a Nairobi hospital with heart trouble on Thursday afternoon but was now stable and would likely have to remain in hospital for 24-72 hours.

Penpushing further reports that Gachagua previously served as Senator for Tharaka Nithi County and was a top contender to be Ruto’s running mate during the 2022 election, however, parliament will later have to vote to approve Kindiki’s appointment before he is sworn in.

Meanwhile, records showed that the new Deputy President (Kindiki), a close ally of President Ruto, has held the post of Ministry of Interior since Ruto took office two years ago.

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