President William Ruto has said that his nomination of Kithure Kindiki as Deputy President got clearance from state agencies, including the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Ruto moved swiftly to nominate his Interior Cabinet Secretary for the DP’s position after the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua on Thursday, October 17, 2024. The president’s statement on IEBC clearance has led to questions given the current composition of the election agency.

The commission is, as it currently sits, not fully composed given that the positions of commissioners have not been filled. However, the signing of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2024, paves the way for the constitution of IEBC.

Kindiki’s clearance

For the nomination as DP, an individual preferred by the President must get clearance from various state agencies, and Ruto said his choice of Kindiki has the green light from those authorities.

“In consideration of the aforementioned constitutional and statutory requirements on integrity, ethics, and moral fitness for individuals entrusted with State Office, I have sought and received clearances from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), and the Commission for University Education (CUE) with respect to the Candidate herein.

“Now, therefore, I, William Samoei Ruto, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, pursuant to Article 149 (1) of the Constitution, do hereby nominate PROF. KITHURE KINDIKI, PhD, EGH, for consideration and confirmation through a vote of the National Assembly to be the next Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya.

“For reasons whereof, I hereby enclose the following documents in relation to the nominee: Certified true copy of his Certificate of Birth; certified true copy of his National Identity Card; certified copies of his university degrees and other academic certificates; certification of foreign university degrees by the Commission for University Education (CUE); passport-size photograph; curriculum vitae and testimonials; confirmation of compliance with Article 137 of the Constitution from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC); confirmation of citizen status by the National Registration Bureau (Office of the Registrar of Persons); and confirmation of membership status in a political party from the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP),” Ruto said in a gazette notice on the appointment of the former former Tharaka-Nithi Senator.

Kindiki’s approval by Parliament will see him move to the DP’s office at Harambee Annex.