Speaker Wetangula gazettes Kindiki as new Deputy President despite court order

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has gazetted Prof. Kithure Kindiki to take up the Deputy President position after the House approved his nomination.

In a gazette notice dated Friday, October 18, 2024, Wetangula reaffirmed the gazettement saying that House had voted in support of the nomination of Kindiki as the new DP by President William Ruto.

“It is notified that, pursuant to Article 149 (1) as read together with Article 122 of the Constitution of Kenya, the National Assembly has, at its sitting held on Friday, 18th October 2024 in the National Assembly Chamber at the main Parliament Building, voted in favor of the nomination of Kithure Kindiki (Prof) to fill the vacancy in the Office of the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya,” read the notice.

This despite an  order by the High Court that suspended the Senate’s resolution to uphold former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's impeachment motion held on Thursday, October 17.

Justice Chacha Mwita ruled that Gachagua's petition raised pertinent issues of law and public interest.

He issued a conservatory order staying the implementation of the impeachment charges, including the appointment of his replacement until October 24, 2024, when the matter will be mentioned before the court. 

Further, the Judge urged the Chief Justice to appoint a bench to hear the petition.

"That due the significance of 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 uneven number of judges to be appointed by the Hon. The Chief Justice. The file be placed before the Hon. Chief Justice immediately for consideration in that regard," the ruling read.

Kindiki’s nomination during a special sitting in Parliament on Friday was overwhelmingly supported by a majority of 236 MPs, with no legislator opposing or abstaining.

Following the approval by the National Assembly, President Ruto is now set to officially appoint Kindiki as Deputy President, after which he will take the oath of office.