HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I News has just emerged that a court has blocked the appointment of Prof Kithure Kindiki, Kenya’s Interior Minister as the new deputy to President William Ruto.
Ruto’s previous deputy, Rigathi Gachagua was humiliated by both parliament and the Senate, after both chose to impeach him. His impeachment marked the first time that a Kenyan deputy president had been removed from office, using the new constitution adopted less than 20 years ago.
But a high court ruling has now thrown a spanner into the wheels but ruling that Prof Kindiki cannot take office.
The high court’s intervention came after lawmakers had already approved Kindiki’s appointment on Friday. This historical move only goes to extend Kenya’s period of political turmoil.
“Kindiki’s appointment as deputy president and the Senate’s resolution upholding impeachment charges against Gachagua are hereby suspended until October 24, when a bench of judges appointed by the chief justice will debate the issue,” reads part of a ruling issued by the Nairobi based high court.
President William and his ex-deputy, Rigathi Gachagua during happier times
A second court order said Kindiki cannot assume office until the case is heard.
Kindiki was a top contender to be Ruto’s running mate during the 2022 election and was appointed interior minister shortly after the president took office in September that year.
But there was a turn of events when the country was enveloped in nationwide protests earlier this year that called for the withdrawal of a now-shelved finance law and reforms to tackle corruption.
Gachagua has been accused of being behind those protests through funding the youths who stormed the street for several months.
Kenya Senate sitting
He was henceforth impeached on five out of 11 charges including gross violation of the constitution and stirring ethnic hatred – accusations that he denied and dismissed as politically motivated.
Gachagua helped Ruto secure a large block of votes from the populous central Kenya region during the 2022 election. But in recent months, he has spoken of being sidelined, amid widespread reports in local media signalling a rift with Ruto as political alliances shifted.
He was hospitalised and absent during the Senate vote to dismiss him. He later on filed a petition on Friday seeking to stop Ruto from naming his replacement pending a judicial hearing.
The 59-year-old politician is a party to several cases challenging his removal from office.
