Kithure Kindiki has addressed his relationship with Rigathi Gachagua following the latter's impeachment as Deputy President.
In an interview on Thursday, December 19, Kindiki stated that his friendship with Gachagua remains unchanged despite the impeachment.
"[My relationship with Gachagua] is as it was before. We are good friends, I have no reason to complain in the past, present, and even in the future," he said.
Kindiki also explained why there was no official handover, noting that Gachagua was in court challenging his ouster, making it impossible for him to handover.
"There wasn't an official handover because the former deputy president is in court. You wouldn't expect him to hand over if he is in court," he added.
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Notably, Gachagua was impeached on October 17, 2024, following a Senate vote that upheld five out of eleven charges against him.
The impeachment process commenced on October 1, 2024, when a motion was introduced in Parliament, garnering substantial support with 291 MPs backing the measure.
Despite Gachagua's hospitalization during the proceedings, the Senate proceeded with the trial, culminating in his removal from office.
In the wake of Gachagua's impeachment, President William Ruto nominated Kindiki as the new Deputy President.
However, the appointment faced immediate legal challenges, with the High Court issuing an order to temporarily halt Kindiki's swearing-in pending a hearing on October 24, 2024.
However, on October 31, 2024, the High Court lifted the order blocking Kindiki's inauguration, emphasizing the constitutional necessity of filling the Deputy President position.
"We are convinced and find that the current constitutional framework does not envision any scenario in which the office of the DP would remain vacant except during the brief period required to fill a vacancy," Justice Anthony Mrima read the ruling in part.
Subsequently, on November 1, 2024, Kindiki was officially sworn in as the Deputy President.
