Kithure Kindiki Nominated as Kenya's New Deputy President

Kenya's President William Ruto has nominated Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki as his new deputy following the historic impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua, who faced charges of corruption and ethnic division. Gachagua, who was hospitalized during the impeachment proceedings, was found guilty on five out of eleven charges, marking the first time a deputy president has been impeached under Kenya's 2010 constitution. Kindiki, a close ally of Ruto, will need parliamentary approval for his new role, which involves oversight of police operations amid criticisms regarding police conduct during protests. Gachagua's removal has highlighted tensions within the ruling party and Ruto's administration, as he had been instrumental in Ruto's election victory in 2022 but recently expressed feelings of being sidelined. The impeachment process faced criticism for being rushed, particularly as Gachagua's legal team sought a delay to allow him to recover. The political turmoil follows Ruto's struggles with public discontent over tax increases to address foreign debt.