Kenya’s new deputy president sworn in as his predecessor challenges his impeachment in court

Kindiki Kithure sworn in as Kenya's new deputy president amid court challenges and political divisions, promising loyalty and service.

Kenya’s new deputy president has been sworn into office, two weeks after his predecessor was overwhelmingly voted out in an impeachment motion in parliament over allegations of corruption and inciting ethnic division.

Kindiki Kithure took office on Friday (November 1, 2024) after a colorful event in the capital, Nairobi, attended by government officials and western envoys among other guests.

His swearing-in was cleared by the court on Thursday after orders that had suspended it were lifted, despite a continuing court case challenging the impeachment of the previous deputy president, Rigathi Gachagua.

Mr. Gachagua is challenging the impeachment before the High Court in Nairobi, arguing that the charges are unsubstantiated and that the hearings were unfair.

The former deputy president was impeached and removed from office by a vote of more than two-thirds of legislators on Oct. 17 on charges of corruption, inciting ethnic divisions and support for anti-government protests. President William Ruto nominated Kindiki for the deputy role the next day.

Mr. Gachagua’s impeachment had highlighted divisions within the ruling United Democratic Alliance, or UDA, and friction between Ruto and Gachagua, both UDA members. Gachagua had been accused of insubordination when he opposed the government’s policy of forced evictions during heavy rains that caused flooding and deaths.

The new deputy president Mr. Kindiki called Friday's event a celebration of the “constitution and our democracy” and committed to be loyal and faithful to the president.