The decision was announced after 236 members of parliament voted in favor, with no opposition. The lawmakers were required to vote twice due to a minor technical issue during the initial round of electronic voting.
“Honourable members, the vote on the nomination of Professor Kithure Kindiki to fill the vacancy in the office of the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya is as follows: abstentions are nil, no is nil, and ayes are 236. The vote is overwhelmingly yes,” Speaker Wetangula announced.
“The nomination is hereby declared passed by the House. The Speaker will transmit the results to the President and will also sign a gazette notice to this effect. The nominee for the position of Deputy President has been voted on by the House and will be sent to the appointing authority,” the Speaker added.
This action followed Speaker Moses Wetangula’s announcement regarding the Head of State’s decision to nominate the former Tharaka Nithi Senator.
Before the voting process, a group of lawmakers requested Speaker Wetangula to clarify and provide guidance on the nomination process for Kindiki as the new Deputy President.
Led by Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe, the legislators sought to determine whether the National Assembly would need to conduct a vetting and approval process as outlined by the Public Appointments and Parliamentary Approval Act.
Wangwe highlighted that Article 124 of the Constitution mandates that any appointment undergo parliamentary approval and be reviewed by a relevant committee, with their recommendations then presented to the house for approval.
“Honourable Speaker, your communication has not clarified how this process will be managed. ” “Kindly advise us on the steps you plan to take,” Wangwe requested.
However, the lawmakers were informed that the National Assembly would not follow the same process used on October 8 during the impeachment of the former Deputy President, in which the motion underwent public participation prior to approval.
While reiterating the matter, Speaker Wetangula referenced Article 149 of the Constitution, which states that when a vacancy occurs in the office of the Deputy President, the President must nominate a candidate within fourteen days.
“Based on Article 149, it is evident that the National Assembly is required to vote on the nomination within 60 days. Notably, the drafters of the constitution deliberately differentiated the language in this article, specifically mandating a vote, rather than an approval, on the nomination,” Speaker Wetangula explained.
