Deputy President: Many are mentioned but one will be called

The Senate has begun the trial of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua following his impeachment by the National Assembly. Should the Senate uphold the vote, all eyes will shift on who will occupy the coveted seat as the son of Mathira retires from public life.

At least six prominent figures are being considered as possible replacements, with Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki emerging as the leading contender.

Among those considered suitable to replace Gachagua is Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, the assertive Kikuyu MP who led the impeachment process with fervour. His unwavering loyalty to President William Ruto and considerable political experience have made him a possible successor to the man he helped depose.

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, nearing the end of her second term and previously chair of the Council of Governors, is also seen as a strong candidate. She has frequently been mentioned as a potential running mate.

Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata, a once-close ally of President Ruto, has kept a relatively low profile in national politics, focusing on county matters. However, his non-confrontational style could make him an attractive option.

Laikipia East MP and leader of The Service Party, Mwangi Kiunjuri, has also been suggested as a potential successor. However, his reluctance to dissolve his party may portray him as too independent-minded for the role.

Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro initially confronted Gachagua but later withdrew from the spotlight under pressure from Kenya Kwanza allies. His absence from Parliament during the impeachment vote has led critics to label him a “fence-sitter.”

Another name in the mix is Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome, the former Kandara MP, although her current government position has muted her political voice.

Political analyst Barrack Muluka has speculated that Kindiki could be a likely choice for Deputy President if Gachagua is removed, noting that Kindiki was considered for the position ahead of the 2022 General Election. According to Muluka, recent political manoeuvres indicate that Kindiki’s appointment has been long in the making.

 “It should not surprise us at all. That is what we have been scheming for all along. You saw that before these things happened, there was a meeting of 48 MPs from Mt Kenya East. Then afterwards, there was a collective meeting of 69 MPs. These were not spontaneous happenings. These were clearly planned and choreographed political happenings,” Muluka told the Standard yesterday.

 He said there are processes to be followed are outlined in the Constitution, which states that after impeachment, within 14 days, the President should have nominated someone who is qualified for the office of Deputy President.

“I think the qualifications for the office of Deputy President are laid out in the constitution. But to qualify for the office of Deputy President, you must fulfill certain requirements. I think he would look for someone who measures up and he would present his or her name to parliament because Parliament has to approve, by just a simple majority and that they already have. There’s no doubt,” he said.

He added: “Then, if he wants, he can say you are Deputy President and Minister for Interior or he can say you are Deputy President therefore, I’m going to name somebody else to the position of Interior.”

Constitutionally, following an impeachment, the President has 14 days to nominate a new Deputy President. Parliament must approve the nomination by a simple majority, which the government already holds.

Lawyer and governance expert Javas Bigambo believes Kindiki is the frontrunner due to his strong leadership in the Interior Ministry. His work ethic and integrity make him an ideal candidate, though Bigambo notes that in Kenyan politics, being ethical is not the only requirement for high office.

Bigambo pointed out that while Kindiki may be an ideal Deputy President, he may not bring the necessary votes for President Ruto’s re-election in 2027. He suggested that Ruto might need to look beyond Mt Kenya for a running mate, possibly to someone from Western Kenya, such as Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi or former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya.

“It is not worthy to carry water with a sieve or a torn bucket.  The Kikuyu vote for President is merely a torn bucket. He would rather get even somebody from Western.  It doesn’t necessarily mean that among picks that could be considered, it would be Prime Cabinet secretary Musalia Mudavadi or even CS Wycliffe Oparanya,” he stated.

“It is not a question of how well cultured and blue-collared somebody is. It is the votes. So Kindiki is a perfect fit but does not make for the arithmetic. With him, the math does not add up for the President’s reelection,” added Bigambo.

Former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo said earlier in the week that during the 2022 elections, Kindiki was the preferred running mate  by a majority, but Ruto opted for Gachagua against their wishes.

“We were about 26 people in a room and we did a vote; 21 of us settled for Kindiki as Ruto’s running mate, only three picked Gachagua. Waiguru got one, Muturi one other vote. But Ruto decided by himself to pick Gachagua as his running mate,” Kabogo said, in a radio interview.

Despite being in the minority, Ruto stood by Gachagua, praising his rise from hardship to political success. After Gachagua’s selection, Kindiki took a break from elective politics, focusing on national rather than county-level leadership.

In September, MPs from Mt Kenya East endorsed Kindiki as their key link to the government, a clear signal of his rising political prominence.

As the Senate vote nears, Kindiki’s chances of becoming Deputy President are stronger than ever. However, political dynamics and electoral arithmetic could ultimately determine who fills the role.