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Saboti Constituency Member of Parliament (MP) Caleb Amisi has dismissed the notion that a Deputy President post is a cursed position in Kenya.

Taking to his official X account on Sunday, October 13, 2024, Amisi emphasized that the challenges associated with the office depend largely on the relationship between the DP and the president, rather than any inherent flaws in the position itself.

“A deputy president is not a cursed job, as many have insinuated. It just depends on who you are deputizing!” Amisi stated.

A deputy president is not a cursed job as many have insinuated. It just depends on who you are deputizing!

— Hon. Caleb Amisi, MP (@Honcalebamisi) October 13, 2024

Amisi’s remarks come amid increasing scrutiny of the Deputy President’s office, which has historically been seen as a position fraught with political tensions.

DPs sidelined

In the past, there have been instances where Deputy Presidents have found themselves sidelined or in conflict with the President, leading to speculation about the viability of the role.

For instance, President William Ruto, during his time as DP, had a bad relationship with his former boss, President Uhuru Kenyatta, during their second term.

However, President Ruto did not contemplate quitting and served the whole of his term before he successfully made a first stab at the presidency.

Two years into his presidency, President Ruto’s relationship with his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, is on a dead end, with the second in command on the brink of losing his seat after he was impeached by the National Assembly.

DP Gachagua is now banking on the Senate for his survival, and should his impeachment be withheld, he will continue fighting in the courts.

Resignation

In September 2022, Kakamega County Senator Boni Khalwale recounted the moment Kenya’s fifth Vice President had to resign.

Taking to his official X account on Sunday, September 22, 2024, Khalwale stated that the late Josephat Karanja, who served as Kenya’s fifth Vice President between 1988 and 1989, faced the same woes Gachagua is undergoing.

According to Khalwale, a plot to oust Karanja was hatched and it was being spearheaded by former Embakasi Member of Parliament (MP) David Mwenje.

When Karanja learnt about the plot that was going to see him ousted through a vote of no confidence in parliament, Khalwale says the VP decided to resign to avoid the embarrassment.

“Dr. Josephat Karanja, a son of Murima, was the fifth Vice President of Kenya (1988-1989). He resigned in a huff to avoid an ongoing vote of no confidence in Parliament, spearheaded by a fellow son of Murima called Hon. David Mwenje. The more things change, the more they remain the same,” Khalwale stated.

Dr Josephat Karanja, a son of Murima, was the fifth vice president of Kenya (1988-1989). He resigned in a huff to avoid an ongoing vote-of-no-confidence in Parliament, spearheaded by a fellow son of Murima called Hon David Mwenje.
The more things change, the more they remain the… pic.twitter.com/qh67AewbcX

— Dr Boni Khalwale, CBS (@DrBKhalwale) September 22, 2024