Kindiki skips Parliament as uncertainity sorrounds Gachagua impeachment

4Deputy President-designate Kithure Kindiki failed to appear before Parliament on Wednesday, prompting questions about his role within the government.

Currently serving as the Cabinet Secretary for Interior, Kindiki was scheduled to address Senate lawmakers regarding matters related to the Interior Ministry. However, the confusion surrounding his dual role following his nomination as Deputy President has left uncertainty about his current position.

Last week, the National Assembly approved Kindiki's appointment as Deputy President, replacing impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Kindiki was set to appear before the Senate alongside Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, both of whom failed to attend the session.

In a communication to the House, Bomet Senator and temporary speaker Hillary Sigei revealed that Kindiki had sent a letter on Tuesday informing the Senate of his inability to attend.

He acknowledged that Kindiki’s letter had been written before his appointment as Deputy President but admitted that the confusion surrounding his role was valid.

“The Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration is not in a position to honour the invitation. All inconveniences are highly regretted,” read the letter.

However, the letter did not provide a reason for Kindiki's absence, unlike Wandayi’s letter, which clearly stated that he was on official duty from October 22 to 24.

The ambiguity surrounding Kindiki’s unavailability sparked debate among the senators, with some speculating that it was related to his nomination as Deputy President.

Senate Majority Whip Boni Khalwale suggested that Kindiki should no longer be questioned on matters related to the Interior Ministry.

"This Parliament approved Kindiki as the Deputy President. If you have anything to ask him, ask him to come and speak about issues concerning the office of the Deputy President," Khalwale said.

Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi. (Photo: Kenya Power)

Embu Senator Alexander Mundigi echoed this sentiment, emphasising that Kindiki's absence was because he could not serve both as Interior Cabinet Secretary and Deputy President at the same time.

Tharaka Nithi Senator Mwenda Gataya cited Kindiki’s previous appearances before the Senate, attributing his current absence to the ongoing political developments in the country.

However, Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua added that Kindiki’s position as Deputy President remains uncertain since the matter is still in court.

“From where I sit, there is no one who has been appointed as Deputy President. There is a nomination pending appointment,” Wambua said.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna also urged the Senate to refrain from discussing the issue as it is still under judicial consideration.

"The subject being brought here is before the courts, and it would be highly prejudicial to talk about the matter that is live before the court," he said.

Kindiki was set to succeed Rigathi Gachagua as DP. Gachagua was impeached by Parliament over charges of corruption and inciting ethnic divisions, with the Senate upholding five out of eleven charges against him.

The National Assembly later approved Kindiki’s nomination, with 236 MPs voting in support. However, the High Court temporarily halted the replacement of Gachagua until a three-judge bench hears cases challenging his removal.

In contrast, the Senate took a harsher stance towards Wandayi for his absence, with Sifuna condemning the Energy Cabinet Secretary for delaying responses to questions posed by the House.

“We have questions about deals in the energy sector, such as the one involving Adani, that remain unanswered,” Sifuna noted.

Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo added that it was unacceptable for the Cabinet Secretaries to continue avoiding their responsibilities before the Senate, urging the government to ensure ministers respect the legislative body.

“There must be a way of making sure this House is respected,” Maanzo said.