By Evelyne Musambi
A high court in Kenya cleared the way Thursday for a new deputy president to take office despite a continuing court case challenging the impeachment of the previous deputy president.
The three-judge High Court in Nairobi set aside another court’s order to suspend the swearing-in of nominee Kithure Kindiki, arguing that the suspension created a political vacuum.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua 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, the current interior minister, for the deputy role the next day.
Gachagua’s impeachment had highlighted divisions within the ruling United Democratic Alliance, or UDA, and friction between Ruto and Gachagua, both UDA members. The former deputy president had been accused of insubordination when he opposed the government’s policy of forced evictions during heavy
You’ve reached your free article limit
Subscribe to enjoy unlimited access to trusted journalism. Cancel anytime.
Subscribe nowNeed help? molokom@insidepolitic.co.za
