President William Ruto has nominated Interior Cabinet Secretary Professor Kithure Kindiki as the next Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya, filling the vacancy left by the removal of Rigathi Gachagua from office. The nomination has been officially submitted to the National Assembly for approval by Speaker Moses Wetangula, marking the next step in the constitutional process to fill the position.
The announcement comes amid reports that the security detail assigned to the former Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, was significantly scaled down shortly after the official gazettement of his impeachment. Sources indicate that heightened security measures at various establishments associated with Gachagua, including hospitals, were abruptly reduced after Senate Speaker Amason Kingi issued a gazette notice formalizing his removal.
Before the gazette notice, Gachagua’s security had been bolstered, likely in anticipation of unrest following his impeachment. However, past midnight, once the notice became public, armed officers stationed at his properties and other key areas were withdrawn or reassigned. This swift change in security arrangements has been seen as a clear indication of the end of his tenure as Deputy President.
As Kindiki awaits approval from Parliament, political observers note that his nomination signals a significant shift in the leadership structure of the country. Kindiki, a close ally of President Ruto, has played a critical role in the country’s security sector, and his elevation to the Deputy President’s position is expected to maintain stability within the government.
The National Assembly is set to debate and vote on his nomination in the coming days, with the outcome likely to shape Kenya’s political landscape in the aftermath of Gachagua’s ouster.
