Saboti Member of Parliament Caleb Amisi has expressed confidence that Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki will assume the role of Deputy President, even as legal battles prevent him from replacing the recently ousted Rigathi Gachagua.
Amisi shared his views in a post on his X account on Saturday, October 19, 2024, arguing that parliamentary processes, rather than the courts, would ultimately decide the fate of the deputy presidency.
“Kindiki will be your deputy president even after all the court processes are complete. Impeachment is a parliamentary process and not a judicial gymnasium,” he wrote.
Amisi further suggested that Kindiki could even serve as a transitional president if circumstances allowed.
“If #GenZ tries again the ‘kufinish kumalo’ thing and #Ruto resigns, #KindikiTheMan has two-thirds voting parliamentary approval. He comes with no votes and no charisma to attract other regions’ votes. He can easily become a transition president. In short, ni mtu bure politically.”
“Ruto has just made the biggest blunder of his life. Keep this for future reference. Am rarely wrong,” he asserted.
Amisi’s sentiments come after the National Assembly overwhelmingly approved President William Ruto’s nominee for deputy president, Kithure Kindiki, who is currently serving as the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration. During a special session held on Friday, October 18, 2024, 236 members voted in favour of Kindiki.
Following the vote, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula formally announced Kindiki as the Deputy President-elect through a gazette notice.
Court halts Kindiki’s appointment
The comments come amid heightened political tension following the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua by the Senate on Thursday, October 17, 2024.
However, a High Court ruling on Friday, October 18, 2024, temporarily halted the process of appointing Gachagua’s replacement.
Justice Chacha Mwita issued a conservatory order to prevent the appointment of a new Deputy President pending a hearing scheduled for October 24, 2024.
“In the meantime, due to the issues raised in the petition and application, and the urgency demonstrated, a conservatory order is hereby issued staying implementation of the resolution by the Senate upholding the impeachment charges against the petitioner, the Deputy President of Kenya, including the appointment of his replacement,” Justice Mwita ruled.
The judge also noted that the case raised significant legal questions and public interest, warranting a review by a bench of judges.
“That due to the significance of the issues raised in the petition and application, I certify this matter as raising substantial questions of law and public interest and, therefore, fit to be heard by a bench of an uneven number of judges appointed by the Hon. Chief Justice,” he added.
