• The nomination of Kithure Kindiki as the new deputy president replacing a deposed Rigathi Gachagua has not convinced a huge section of the Kenyan citizenry
• Those against his nomination cite the conduct of the police against the anti-government protesters and the Interior Ministry’s supposed lukewarm approach to the brutality
• The paltry section that supports Kindiki’s nomination argues he lived up to his expectations, for instance by tackling the banditry menace in the north rift, hence suggesting his suitability to deputies President William Ruto

Eli Odaga, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Outgoing Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki awaits occupying the deputy president’s post should the courts uphold the resolution by the Kenyan bicameral parliament to impeach Rigathi Gachagua, who had been the one deputising President William Ruto.

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Gachagua sought redress in the High Court to challenge the ouster and also block the process of installing Kindiki as the new deputy president.

TUKO.co.ke carried out a survey to get Kenyans’ general feelings on the capacity of Kindiki to deliver in his new capacity.

Though not scientifically proven, the verdict was that most Kenyans did not exude confidence in the former Tharaka Nithi senator’s capabilities despite him being an outstanding lawyer and professor of law.

In the X poll, 62.9% of respondents felt Kindiki would not be the best fit to replace Gachagua, against the 26.5% who believed in him; 10.6% were undecided.

On Facebook, more than 75% of the respondents are opposed to Kindiki’s installation as the new deputy president.

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The majority of the naysayers of Kindiki’s nomination cited his tenure at the Interior docket, which they argued has been lukewarm toward killings perpetrated against anti-government protesters both in 2023 and 2024.

Those against his ascension to the post concluded that the deaths of Kenyans on the streets allegedly undertaken by the state law enforcers left a bad legacy in Kindiki’s name, thus corrupting his suitability to be the new deputy president.

Others pointed out the supposed flaws in the process of impeaching Gachagua.

They said the process was not fair, and that Gachagua was not accorded time to mount his defence before the public participation exercise in the grassroots.

On the flip side, the section impressed with Kindiki’s demeanour and general conduct argued that he would make the best deputy president as compared with Gachagua.

According to them, the nominated DP seem to uphold loyalty, unlike his soon-to-be successor who is considered a loudmouth.

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They say Kindiki’s camaraderie with Ruto since time immemorial (he was part of the president’s legal team at the Hague) make their pair an ideal one to lead the country.

Source: TUKO.co.ke