NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 31 — The Kenyan government has announced Friday, November 1, as a public holiday to commemorate the swearing-in of Professor Kithure Kindiki as Deputy President, following the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua. This historic event marks a significant change in Kenya’s leadership.
Professor Kindiki, currently the Interior Cabinet Secretary, will officially take the oath at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi at 10:00 a.m. The decision to declare the public holiday was announced by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who is temporarily serving as acting Interior Cabinet Secretary.
Kindiki’s swearing-in, initially delayed by legal challenges concerning his nomination and Gachagua’s impeachment, was authorized on Thursday by a three-judge bench, including Justices Eric Ogola, Anthony Mrima, and Dr. Freda Mugambi. The judges ruled that maintaining a vacancy in the Office of the Deputy President would contravene Kenya’s Constitution, which mandates prompt filling of the role.
“It is notified for the general information of the public that the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Public Holidays Act and sections 3(b) and 12(3) of the Assumption of Office of President Act, declares Friday, 1st November 2024, to be a public holiday,” read the official Gazette Notice.
The ruling follows a previous injunction by a Kerugoya Court on October 18 that blocked Kindiki’s swearing-in after President William Ruto’s nomination. However, the court emphasized the importance of filling the Deputy President’s role promptly, as the duties cannot be reassigned to the President, National Assembly Speaker, or other officials.
The swearing-in ceremony will proceed as scheduled, marking a new chapter in Kenya’s executive leadership. Stay tuned for live coverage of the event.
