Kenya’s parliament on Friday unanimously voted to support President William Ruto’s nomination of Kithure Kindiki to replace his sacked deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, following a historic impeachment. However, the political landscape took a dramatic turn as a high court promptly issued an injunction suspending the replacement process.
Kindiki, a 52-year-old academic turned political heavyweight, was considered a front-runner for the position after Gachagua’s removal by the Senate late Thursday. The impeachment has captivated the East African nation, which is typically seen as a stable democracy amid regional turbulence.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula announced Ruto’s choice of Kindiki in the morning, and by afternoon, parliamentarians voted 236 in favor, with no abstentions or opposition. “The vote is overwhelmingly ‘yes,’ and so the nomination is hereby declared passed by the house,” Wetangula stated.
Kindiki, who has served as interior minister in Ruto’s government for over two years, is now the deputy president-elect but still requires formal appointment by the president and a swearing-in ceremony.
However, in response to a petition from Gachagua’s legal team, the high court issued an injunction suspending the process until October 24. “Due to the issues raised in the petition and application, and the urgency demonstrated, a conservatory order is hereby issued staying implementation of the resolution by the Senate,” the order read.