On Friday, the National Assembly approved President William Ruto’s nomination of Kithure Kindiki as Kenya’s next Deputy President, following the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua. The vote was overwhelmingly in favor, with 236 members of Parliament supporting the motion and no opposition. Although the voting process faced a minor setback due to a technical glitch in the electronic voting system, the issue was quickly resolved, and the motion proceeded to a successful conclusion.
The announcement came after Speaker Moses Wetangula informed lawmakers of the President’s decision to nominate Kindiki, a former senator from Tharaka Nithi. Before the vote, some MPs raised concerns regarding the process and asked Speaker Wetangula to clarify the procedural steps for handling Kindiki’s nomination.
One of the key questions came from Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe, who led a group of lawmakers requesting clarification on whether the National Assembly would be required to follow a formal vetting and approval procedure as outlined in the Public Appointments and Parliamentary Approval Act. Wangwe pointed to Article 124 of the Constitution, which mandates that all appointments be subjected to parliamentary approval and reviewed by a relevant committee before the final approval vote by the full House.
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“Honourable Speaker, your communication has not provided sufficient guidance on how this process will unfold. Kindly enlighten us on the steps you plan to take in this instance,” Wangwe asked.In response, Speaker Wetangula explained that the situation surrounding the nomination of Kindiki as Deputy President would differ from the previous process used for the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua on October 8. He clarified that while the impeachment of Gachagua involved public participation and extensive debate, the nomination of a Deputy President does not require the same procedure.
Instead, the focus would be on a straightforward vote in the National Assembly.Referring to the Constitution, Wetangula pointed to Article 149, which specifies that when a vacancy arises in the Deputy President’s office, the President must nominate a candidate within fourteen days. This provision, according to Wetangula, requires the National Assembly to vote on the nomination within 60 days. However, Wetangula made it clear that the Constitution only requires a vote, not an approval, of the nominee.
This distinction, he noted, was deliberately crafted by the framers of the Constitution.“The Constitution specifies a vote on the nomination, not an approval process. This is a critical distinction,” Wetangula emphasized. “While the language of the Constitution requires us to vote, it does not necessitate a full vetting process or public participation as seen in other appointments.”Following the clarification, the MPs proceeded to the vote, and Kindiki’s nomination was approved by a large majority. With the decision, Kindiki is set to become the next Deputy President of Kenya, assuming office in the wake of Gachagua’s removal.The National Assembly’s approval marks a significant step in the implementation of the President’s decision and in the restoration of leadership stability in the executive branch.
This approval also highlights the constitutional mechanisms in place to ensure that the Deputy President’s office is filled promptly following a vacancy.Although the process was largely procedural, it reflected the importance of constitutional guidelines in ensuring smooth transitions within the highest offices of government. By adhering to the legal framework set out by the Constitution, the National Assembly has fulfilled its constitutional duty in endorsing the President’s nominee for Deputy President. As the process continues, many will be looking to see how Kindiki steps into his new role and whether he can navigate the political landscape with the same skill he displayed during his tenure as a senator.