Kithure Kindiki is deputy president-elect

The National Assembly on Friday unanimously approved the nomination of Kithure Kindiki as Kenya’s new deputy president.

A total of 236 MPs voted in favor of Kindiki, after his name was submitted to the House this morning.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula will now inform the President of the approval, after which the decision will be gazetted.

Kindiki, who was serving as Interior CS, will await his swearing-in to officially assume the role, previously held by his predecessor Rigathi Gachagua, for only 766 days.

Minutes after the voting, Speaker Wetangula gazetted the approval of the nomination of Kithure Kindiki as Deputy President by the House.

It is notified that pursuant to Article 149(1) as read together with Article 122 of the Constitution, the National Assembly has, at its sitting held on Friday, 18 October 2024, in the National Assembly Chamberat the main Parliament Building, voted in favour of the nomination of Kithure Kindiki to fill the vacancy in the Office of the Deputy President," the gazette notice read in part.

Public Participation

Earlier, Wetang’ula clarified that Parliament is not required to conduct public participation for the nomination of a deputy president, as the law permits legislators to vote within 60 days of the nomination.

“To the extent that Article 149(1) of the Constitution contemplates the House voting upon receiving the nomination, public participation is not applicable in this case,” the Speaker explained.

He further noted that no debate was necessary for Kindiki’s nomination, as the House's duty is to either approve or reject the nomination.

“The Constitution states that once the President submits the nomination to the House, MPs shall vote to endorse or reject the name. A two-thirds majority is not required.”