Kenya’s Ruto names new deputy president after Gachagua impeachment

Kithure Kindiki has faced criticism over alleged police brutality during the anti-government demonstrations earlier this year.

Kenya's parliament on Friday unanimously voted to back the nomination of President William Ruto's pick to replace his deputy Rigathi Gachagua who was sacked in a historic impeachment.

But in a further twist in the fast-moving political drama, almost immediately after the vote, a high court issued an injunction suspending the replacement process.

Ruto's nominee, Kithure Kindiki, a 52-year-old academic turned political heavyweight, had been among the front-runners floated by political analysts after the Senate voted to remove Gachagua late Thursday.

The impeachment of Ruto's 2022 election running mate has transfixed the East African country, generally regarded as a stable democracy in a turbulent region.

The high-stakes political drama continued apace on Friday as National Assembly speaker Moses Wetangula announced Ruto's choice of Kindiki in the morning.

A few hours later, parliamentarians voted 236 in favour, with no abstention or votes opposed.

"The vote is overwhelmingly 'yes' and so the nomination is hereby declared passed by the house," Wetangula said.

Kindiki – who has served as interior minister in Ruto's government for more than two years – now becomes deputy president elect but must still be formally appointed by the president and sworn in.

Kenya's deputy president ousted in historic impeachment

Suspension

However, responding to a petition from Gachagua's legal team a high court issued an injunction effectively suspending the process until 24 October.


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