President Ruto nominates Prof. Kithure

 Kenyan President Nominates Professor K. Kiki as Deputy President Following Impeachment

The President of Kenya has officially nominated Professor K. Kiki to fill the vacancy in the Office of the Deputy President. The nomination follows the impeachment of the previous officeholder and comes in accordance with Article 149(1) of the Constitution, which mandates the President to nominate a candidate within 14 days of a vacancy. The National Assembly must then vote on the nomination within 60 days of its submission.

To ensure the nominee’s compliance with constitutional requirements, the President sought confirmation from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) that Professor Kiki is qualified to vie for election as a Member of Parliament, as stipulated under Article 137(1). The President also obtained clearances from various institutions to support the nomination process.

Compliance with Constitutional Requirements

As outlined in Articles 148 and 137 of the Constitution, candidates for the Deputy President position must meet specific criteria. The President confirmed that the following clearances were secured for the nominee:

Tax compliance certification from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).

Leadership and integrity clearance from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

A certificate of good conduct issued by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

Compliance verification from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).

A credit report and clearance certificate from the Credit Reference Bureau (CRB).

Additional confirmations included verification of academic credentials by the Commission for University Education (CUE), proof of citizenship from the National Registration Bureau, and political party membership from the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP).

Supporting Documentation

The President submitted comprehensive documentation to accompany the nomination. These included certified copies of Professor Kiki’s birth certificate, national identity card, university degrees, and other academic qualifications. The package also included certification of foreign degrees by the CUE, a passport-sized photograph, a detailed curriculum vitae, and compliance certificates demonstrating adherence to Chapter 6 of the Constitution on leadership and integrity.

Parliamentary Review Process

With the nomination now formally before Parliament, the National Assembly is tasked with voting on the candidate in line with Article 149(1) of the Constitution. Given the House’s scheduled recess, the Speaker has announced an expedited review process. A meeting of the House Business Committee will be convened immediately to determine the timeline for deliberation and voting on the nomination.

This development marks a significant step in filling the deputy presidency, a critical role in Kenya’s leadership. Observers will closely monitor Parliament's next steps, as the nominee’s qualifications and suitability come under review.