Kithure Kindiki: The soft but gentle workaholic who Finally got his 'Much deserved cake'

Friday, 18 October, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

Professor Kithure Kindiki has been nominated as the next Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya and awaits approval from the National Assembly.

This follows the historic impeachment of Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua whose 766-day reign in office came to a 'humiliating' end on Thursday night. 

53 out of 66 Senators upheld Gachagua's Impeachment in 5 out of 11 charges levelled against him which included; Grounds on -Gross violation of the Constitution, Gross violation the Constitution on the Institution and Decisional Independence of Judges and Gross violation of the Constitution on the fidelity to the Oath of Office and Allegiance. 

Others included Serious reasons to believe that H. E. the Deputy President has committed crimes under sections 13 (1)(a) and 62 of the National Cohesion and Integration Act and Gross misconduct. 

The Five grounds received the green light, surpassing the threshold which requires two-thirds of the senators to approve at least one of the charges against a state officer.

With Gachagua standing impeached, the DP's office was declared vacant and Kindiki's 'quick' nomination was not a 'big sudden' surprise for many, due to his close friendship with the President. Kindiki was also poised to be Ruto's Running-mate at the height of the 2022 President Election but was sadly sidelined to Rigathi Gachagua, who was allegedly picked due to his financial muscles.

However, despite the 2-year wait. Kindiki has finally gotten what he seemed to have rightfully deserved, although at the expense of Gachagua’s Onslaught, which came at inexplicably shocking and sudden circumstances. 

Kindiki, 52, is an academic turned political heavyweight who was thrust into the limelight when he defended Ruto at the International Criminal Court.

Though praised by supporters for having a common touch, the law professor came under fire over alleged police brutality during the sometimes deadly anti-government protests that rocked Kenya earlier this year.

He has also faced scrutiny over his $5.4 million wealth, which he insists comes largely from his law firm and other small businesses.

In 2011, Ruto — then an opposition MP — chose Kindiki to join his legal team to fight charges of crimes against humanity at the ICC over 2007-08 post-election tribal violence that killed more than 1,100 people.

The cases against both Ruto and former president Uhuru Kenyatta eventually collapsed, which was blamed by the prosecution on witness intimidation.

Kindiki, who was born into humble beginnings in the vote-rich Mount Kenya region, taught law at university before joining the government in 2008 as secretary of national cohesion in the election violence aftermath.

But he only served in the post for 100 days and he was soon back in the classroom, before his ICC role.

Kindiki was elected a senator in 2013 and again in 2017.

He became a casualty of the Kenyatta-Ruto fallout in the runup to the 2022 election, removed as deputy Senate speaker in a purge of Ruto allies.

Many had expected Ruto to pick Kindiki as his running mate in 2022, but Gachagua came out on top.

Ruto later rewarded Kindiki with the plum role of interior minister.

He became the target of public anger when he defended police actions during the youth-led demonstrations which saw at least 60 people killed.

Ruto sacked Kindiki in July along with almost all government ministers but he was swiftly reappointed to a revamped cabinet.

His appointment will see that the Deputy President position remains at the Central Region where President William Ruto got the Lion's share of votes during the 2022 Elections. 

Kindiki overcome other potential suitors who eyed the Harambee annex office, including Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Murang’a Governor Irungu Kangata. 

Today’s National Assembly special sitting was adjusted to vote on Kindiki's appointment. 

Once approved, Kindiki will be formally appointed by the president as his deputy. The Constitution does not provide a timeframe but it is expected to occur immediately after Parliament's approval. 

According to Article 149 (8) a deputy president will only be deemed to have served a full term if they occupy the office for more than two and a half years.

For Gachagua, he now loses the retirement benefits accorded to Deputy Presidents for having failed to attain a full term.