NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 1 – Deputy President-designate Kithure Kindiki will be officially sworn in on Friday, November 1, following the lifting of conservatory orders that had blocked his assumption of the role after the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
In a gazette notice released today, Mercy Wanjau, Chairperson of the Assumption of the Office of Deputy President Committee, confirmed that Kindiki’s swearing-in ceremony will be held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi at 10:00 a.m.
“It is notified for the general information of the public that the swearing-in ceremony of the Deputy President-designate shall take place on Friday, 1st November, 2024, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), in Nairobi City County, from 10:00 O’clock,” read the Gazette notice dated October 31.
Wanjau’s announcement follows a decision by Justices Eric Ogola, Anthony Mrima, and Dr. Freda Mugambi, who ruled that a prolonged vacancy in the Office of the Deputy President would be unconstitutional. The bench determined that keeping the office vacant would go against public interest and potentially infringe on the functions reserved exclusively for the Deputy President under Kenya’s Constitution.
The conservatory order blocking Kindiki’s swearing-in was initially issued by a Kerugoya Court on October 18, shortly after President William Ruto nominated him to replace Gachagua, who was impeached on October 17. The court order has now been lifted, paving the way for Kindiki to assume office.
“The applications for conservatory orders are hereby disallowed. The conservatory orders issued on October 18, 2024, in Kerugoya High Court are hereby discharged,” the bench ruled.
The three-judge bench underscored the importance of a functioning Deputy President’s office, noting that the position’s duties cannot be temporarily assumed by the President or any other government official. The vacancy would only be justified for the brief period necessary to appoint a successor, the judges said.
The petition challenging Gachagua’s impeachment will be mentioned on November 7, with petitioners granted leave to appeal. The court has promised an expedited hearing of the case.
Stay tuned for updates on tomorrow’s swearing-in ceremony and further developments in the ongoing legal proceedings.
