DP Kindiki takes over as new UDA Deputy Party Leader after Gachagua's ouster

The United Democratic Alliance Party has named Deputy President Kithure Kindiki as its deputy party leader.

This follows a meeting held on Monday morning by the National Executive Committee led by its chairperson Cecile Mbarire.

Kindiki replaces Rigathi Gachagua who held the position until he was impeached last month.

In its resolution, the NEC said that it found that Gachagua cannot hold the position as he stands impeached and cannot perform the duties of the Office of the Deputy party leader.

“Article 8.2 of the UDA party constitution, His Excellency (Gachagua) is unable to perform the duties of the Office of the Deputy Party Leader and subsequently ceases to hold office As deputy party leader. The National Executive Committee now results to redeem to designate His Excellency Professor Kithure Kindki as the deputy party leader of the United Democratic Alliance Party, effective immediately signed on this day of November 11, 2024,” reads the resolutions.

Earlier, UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar had said that following Gachagua’s impeachment, he was no longer recognised as the party's deputy leader.

“Gachagua must now accept the ground has shifted and move on,” he said at a UDA event in

Eldoret.

The Secretary-General further clarified that, according to the party's Constitution, UDA does not acknowledge Gachagua in any official capacity following his impeachment.

Gachagua became the first deputy president to be sacked since impeachment was introduced in Kenya's revised 2010 constitution.

On October 8, 2024, Members of the National Assembly overwhelmingly voted to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua after 281 members of Parliament voted in favour of the impeachment.

He was ousted from office on October 18, 2024 the Senate voted to impeach him on five of 11 charges after a similar motion was overwhelmingly approved by the lower house, National Assembly.

What followed was that President William Ruto nominated Kindiki as the next DP and his name was submitted to the National Assembly where voted on it.

Prof Kithure Kindiki and his wife Dr Joyce during his swearing-in ceremony. (X/Kithure Kindiki)

Some 236 MPs voted to confirm Kindiki as Deputy President. There were no abstentions and no one voted against it.

"The nomination is herewith declared passed by the House and the Speaker will transmit the result to the president and the speaker will also sign a gazette notice to this effect," Speaker Moses Wetang'ula said.

However, the matter proceeded to court where an order was issued to prevent Kindiki from being sworn in as Kenya’s second-in-command until a court decided whether a decision to impeach Rigathi Gachagua was lawful.

On October 31, 2024, the High Court lifted orders that barred Deputy President Designate Kithure Kindiki from taking the oath of office.

This paved the way for the swearing-in of Kindiki as the next Deputy President.

“The applications for conservatory orders are hereby disallowed. The conservatory orders issued on October 18, 2024, in Kerugoya High Court, are hereby discharged and/or set aside. We grant leave for appeal," the Judges said.

The three-judge bench was led by Justice Eric Ogola is comprised of Justice Anthony Mrima and Fredah Mugambi.

On November 1, 2024, Kindiki was sworn in as Kenya’s third Deputy President.

He was sworn in by the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary in Winfridah Boyani Mokaya at a public ceremony at the KICC, Nairobi.

The event was witnessed by Chief Justice Martha Koome. Also in attendance was President William Ruto.