MPs endorse Kindiki's nomination as Deputy President

By Peter Ochieng

The National Assembly has endorsed Kithure Kindiki’s nomination as the next Deputy President.

Members of Parliament (MPs) voted via roll call, due to technical difficulties experienced during the voting process.

236 legislatures voted in favour of the nomination, with 0 nays and 0 abstention.

Earlier, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula ruled out public participation in the approval process.

He explained that elective positions before the House, including those of Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and East African Legislative Assembly member, are not subjected to public participation.

“The practice of the House in these instances is that the House has always proceeded directly to vote without public participation. To this end, as far as Article 149(1) of the Constitution is concerned, the House votes upon receiving the nomination, and the requirement for public participation does not apply,” the Speaker ruled.

Wetang’ula said nomination and voting of Kithure Kindiki on the same day, is within the constitutional timeline provided for in the constitution.

“No debate arises on a matter that the House is required to take a vote. That the nomination of Kindiki and the vote is required is within the constitutional timeline. That the house business committee has resolved that the vote contemplated under article 149 (1) be taken today during this sitting of the House,” he added.

The vote came just hours after President William Ruto nominated Kindiki to succeed Gachagua, after the impeachment of the latter in the Senate on Thursday night.

"I have received a message from the president on the nomination of Professor Kithure Kindiki to fill the vacancy in the office of the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya," Wetang’ula informed MPs.

“I am satisfied that the candidate meets the requirements under Article 148, as read together with Article 137 of the Constitution, to fill the vacancy in the Office of the Deputy President. Consequently, the nomination is properly before the House for the decision required under Article 149(1) of the Constitution.”

The constitution states that upon nomination, MPs shall vote to reject or endorse the name to pave the way for official appointment and swearing in, within 60 days.

Gachagua becomes the first Deputy President in history to be impeached.