D-Day for Kindiki as he readies to take over as Deputy President

Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki will today be sworn in as Kenya's next Deputy President.

The event will be held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre from 10 am.

On Thursday, a ruling by a three-judge bench set the stage for Kindiki's swearing-in as Kenya's Deputy President, marking him as the 13th second in command since independence.

Hailing from Irunduni village in Tharaka-Nithi County, his rise in politics has been both remarkable and hard-fought.

Kindiki's journey into politics began after a successful academic career.

He earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from Moi University, followed by a master's and PhD in International Law from the University of Pretoria in South Africa.

He spent several years teaching law at Moi University and the University of Nairobi, eventually becoming head of public law and associate dean at the University of Nairobi.

Political career

His academic credentials laid a strong foundation for his entry into the political arena.

His political career took off when he defended President William Ruto during the high-profile ICC case concerning crimes against humanity, solidifying a bond that would later facilitate his political ascent.

In 2012, he entered politics on a Jubilee Alliance ticket, playing a key role in drafting the party's constitution and manifesto, which contributed to their success in the 2013 elections. Elected as the senator for Tharaka-Nithi County, he served for two terms, and was Senate Majority Leader from 2013 to 2017 and then as Deputy Speaker until his removal in 2020.

As the 2022 general election approached, Kindiki emerged as a front-runner for Ruto's running mate.

However, a significant standoff on May 14, 2022 at Ruto's official residence in Karen, Nairobi, revealed the complexities of political alliances.

A vote among Mt Kenya leaders was held to determine who would fill the deputy president’s slot, a position Ruto had reserved for the region.

Despite garnering considerable support, Kindiki ultimately lost out to Rigathi Gachagua.

During a visit to Tharaka-Nithi in June 2022, Ruto expressed his disappointment at Kindiki's exclusion from the running mate position.

"When I came to Kathwana and humbly asked you to give me this leader Abraham Kithure Kindiki, I asked you to donate him to me so that I have him in national politics," he said.

Ruto pointed out Kindiki's qualifications and potential, saying he was "above being a senator or governor of Tharaka-Nithi County."

Despite the setback in 2022, Kindiki's political journey did not end.

His reputation continued to grow, and he played an instrumental role in negotiations leading to the formation of the Kenya Kwanza coalition, which united 14 political parties.

Following Ruto's victory in the August 9, 2022 elections, Kindiki was appointed Interior Cabinet Secretary, a position he held until July 2024 when Ruto sacked his entire Cabinet save for Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.

Notably, he was the only Cabinet Secretary to retain his role since October 2022 when the new Cabinet was formed, perhaps a testament to his influence and resilience within the administration.

Public opinion

As Kindiki's name surfaced again for the deputy president’s role, public opinion seemed to favour him.

Recent polls by Infotrak and Tifa indicated a strong preference among Kenyans for Kindiki as the replacement for Gachagua.

Infotrak reported that 20 per cent of respondents favoured him, while Tifa's findings placed his support at an impressive 37 per cent.

According to the Tifa survey, many Kenyans, particularly in the Mt Kenya region, viewed Kindiki as the ideal candidate, driven by his expertise and experience.

However, Tifa clarified that the survey did not measure the overall popularity of potential replacements for Gachagua.

In his own words, President Ruto acknowledged Kindiki's contributions, saying he had "missed the chance to be deputy president by a whisker" and that it was time to recognise his capabilities.

The President articulated his belief that keeping Kindiki in a more localised role would be a disservice to both him and the nation, emphasising that "a person who is number three in the national arena, you want to lock him here in the village?" he posed.

As Kindiki prepares for his new responsibilities, his extensive background as an advocate and his strategic manoeuvring within the political landscape position him as a player in Kenya's governance.