Kenya’s new deputy president, Kindiki Kithure, has been sworn into office, just two weeks after his predecessor was overwhelmingly impeached by parliament over corruption allegations and inciting ethnic divisions.
Kithure took office on Friday during a vibrant ceremony in Nairobi, attended by government officials and Western diplomats, among other guests.
His swearing-in was approved by the court on Thursday after lifting previous orders that had suspended it, despite an ongoing legal challenge against the impeachment of the former deputy president, Rigathi Gachagua.
Gachagua is contesting his impeachment in the High Court in Nairobi, claiming the charges are unfounded and that the hearings were unjust.
On October 17, Gachagua was impeached and removed from office by over two-thirds of legislators for corruption, inciting ethnic divisions, and supporting anti-government protests. The day after, President William Ruto nominated Kithure for the deputy position.
The impeachment highlighted rifts within the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and tensions between Ruto and Gachagua, both UDA members. Gachagua faced accusations of insubordination for opposing the government’s forced eviction policy during heavy rains that resulted in flooding and fatalities.
At the ceremony, Kindiki described the event as a celebration of “the constitution and our democracy,” pledging his loyalty to President Ruto.
President Ruto urged Kindiki to “please serve the people of Kenya,” emphasising that public servants are not in office for personal gain and must uphold the constitution and rule of law.
Kindiki, a former interior minister, steps into the deputy presidency amid rising concerns about arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances in Kenya, drawing the attention of Western diplomats and human rights groups. The country is also grappling with economic challenges, including a rising cost of living and increased taxes.
In June, nationwide anti-government protests erupted over a finance bill proposing tax hikes, culminating in the storming and burning of parliament on June 25, which resulted in the deaths of several protesters outside the gates.
Ruto, who came into power promising to represent Kenya’s poorest citizens, has faced significant backlash for his tax increases aimed at repaying foreign creditors, prompting him to reorganise his Cabinet and withdraw certain proposals.
