Kithure Kindiki becomes deputy president-elect.

Members of the National Assembly voted in support of the nomination of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki as the Deputy President on Friday. 

This follows his nomination by President William Ruto on Friday morning.

Although the National Assembly Speaker initially planned for electronic voting, it failed, and members had to vote by roll call. 

236 members voted in favour of Kindiki’s nomination, with no votes against or abstentions. 

The Speaker announced that he would submit the results to the President for the appointment and signing of a gazette notice. 

“He is now deputy president-elect,” Wetang’ula declared.

Some questions were raised about the same-day approval of Kindiki’s nomination, but the Speaker confirmed that it was within the constitutional timeline. 

“Nomination and voting of Kithure Kindiki on the same day is within the constitutional timeline provided for in the Constitution,” he said.

He also clarified that public participation was not required for this nomination, as it is not applicable to certain elective positions before the House. 

“The practice of the House in these instances is that the House has always proceeded directly to vote without public participation. To this end, as far as Article 149(1) of the Constitution is concerned, the House votes upon receiving the nomination, and the requirement for public participation does not apply,

To the extent that Article 149(1) of the constitution contemplates the House to vote upon receiving the nomination, the requirement of public participation is not applicable in this case,” the Speaker said.

The Speaker dismissed arguments that a two-thirds threshold was necessary for Kindiki’s approval, stating that a simple majority vote was sufficient. .

“Consequently, noting that Article 149(1) of the Constitution requires the House to take a vote on the nomination, the approval process outlined under the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act does not apply.

“In this case, the House will therefore adopt the precedent it has set on this matter, and this settles the point, honourable members,” the Speaker directed.

With Kindiki’s approval, President William Ruto will appoint him as his principal assistant, and Kindiki will then await a date for his swearing-in.

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