Pressure is mounting to have Deputy President Kithure Kindiki be accorded ministerial duties. 2022 Presidential Running Mate Justina Wamae has as filed a petition seeking to amend the law to allow the Deputy President (DP) to hold more than one state office.
In her petition to the Senate, Wamae has proposed a constitutional amendment that could allow Deputy President Kithure Kindiki to take on additional roles, such as becoming a cabinet secretary.
Further, the petition notes that these duties will be executed alongside their duties as the principal assistant to the President.
In the November 7, 2024 letter addressed to the Senate, Wamae referenced the Petitions to Parliament Act of 2012, advocating for changes to Article 147(4) of the Constitution.
“Amend Article 147(4) and allow the Deputy President to hold any other state or public office this should be a Ministry in addition to being the principal assistant to the President,
“Herefore your humble petitioner prays that Senate- Attached find my petition as per Schedule Section 3 of Petition,” the letter reads in part.
The current constitution prevents the DP from holding any other state or public office while serving in their capacity. However, if adopted, Wamae’s proposal could mark a significant shift in the balance of power within the executive.
She argues that this restriction limits the DP’s ability to contribute meaningfully to the government’s agenda.
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Speculation of Kindiki’s Replacement at Interior Ministry
The move has come at a time when there is speculation about who President William Ruto will nominate to replace Kindiki as the cabinet secretary in the Interior Ministry.
Kindiki left the ministry to become the deputy president after the successful impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi was then appointed to take over the position in an acting capacity.
Since then, the Orange Democratic Movements Party (ODM) fronted National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed to take up the position.
Other ODM members serving in the Cabinet include Hassan Joho (Mining), Opiyo Wandayi (Energy), John Mbadi (Treasury) and Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives and MSMEs Development).
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