A Kenyan court has removed an injunction that prevented the appointment of a new Deputy President to replace Rigathi Gachagua, marking a significant turn in the country’s intense political drama.
The High Court has allowed Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki to take office as the new Deputy President of Kenya. Gachagua was removed from his position by the Senate on October 17 after a dispute with President William Ruto.
Gachagua was accused of ethnically divisive politics, among others, though the Senate cleared him on charges of corruption.
52-year-old Kindiki was nominated by President William Ruto to replace Gachagua hours after his impeachment.
Kindiki’s swearing-in was delayed when Gachagua obtained an injunction while he challenged his dismissal in court.
It was overturned by the High Court, which ruled that the constitution “does not envision any scenario in which the office of the deputy president would remain vacant except during the brief period
required to fill such a vacancy.”
The impeachment has captured media attention in Kenya.
Gachagua has denied all allegations, and no criminal charges have been filed against him. As a powerful businessman, he played a key role in Ruto’s narrow victory in the 2022 election by garnering support from the Mount Kenya region, especially among the Kikuyu community.
Kindiki, who has served as interior minister in Ruto’s government for over two years, also comes from this influential region.