Kenya swears in new vice president amid legal battle

Kenya’s new vice president has been sworn in after the East African nation’s High Court lifted a suspension order on his appointment following the impeachment of his predecessor.

Kindiki Kithure’s swearing-in ceremony took place on Friday at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi, with several government officials and foreign diplomats in attendance. It came two weeks after senators ousted Rigathi Gachagua, who had held the post since 2022, on charges of corruption, inciting ethnic division, and anti-government unrest.

The former vice president pleaded not guilty to the charges, calling them unfounded. Gachagua and his supporters have filed over 30 legal complaints to prevent his removal and replacement. On October 18, the Kenyan High Court halted the inauguration of Kindiki, whom President William Ruto nominated mere hours after Gachagua’s impeachment. However, on Thursday, judges reversed the suspension, claiming that the position of deputy president cannot be vacant under the constitution.

In a speech at his swearing-in ceremony on Friday, Kindiki referred to his predecessor’s impeachment as a “testament to the maturity” of Kenyan democracy, and proof that its institutions are functioning.

“I will be a loyal and faithful deputy,” Kindiki pledged as he took his oath before Kenya’s chief registrar.

Prior to his appointment as vice president, the 52-year-old former law professor spent two years as President William Ruto’s interior minister. He was reportedly a top candidate for the role of vice president in the 2022 election, but Ruto instead chose Gachagua, who is said to have played a key role in the ruling party’s victory.

As interior minister, Kindiki has faced criticism for the security services’ response to a wave of anti-tax protests that erupted in June, during which more than 40 people were reportedly killed in clashes with police, and at least 300 more were injured. He commended riot police for exercising “restraint” while enforcing law and order, but denied ordering them to shoot and kill protesters.

During the inaugural ceremony, President Ruto described his new deputy as a “qualified, committed, and outstanding scholar whose selflessness, competence, experience, and focus will mobilize the government toward delivering” Kenya’s transformation agenda. “I am confident you will do that what I have missed in the last two years,” Ruto told Kindiki.

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