How Kindiki's Village Plans to Celebrate New DP's Swearing In

Kithure Kindiki
Interior CS Kithure Kindiki speaking during the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security on Thursday, September 26. PHOTO/ Kithure Kindiki.

Residents of Deputy President nominee Kithure Kindiki's village in Tharaka Nithi County are gearing up for days-long celebrations after he assumes the position.

Speaking to the press, a section of the residents in Irundumi Village noted that the celebrations had been scheduled to kick off on Saturday, the original swearing-in date.

However, they remained hopeful that Kindiki would be sworn in in the coming week following an appointment by President William Ruto to take over the office from the embattled Rigathi Gachagua.

As a result, the individuals noted that they had paused going to work and were planning to hold parties spanning several days.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, with Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki at a past meeting.
Rigathi Gachagua, with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki at a past meeting.
Photo
DPPS

"There is no going to work. We are just relaxed waiting for him to take the oath. After he takes it, we shall start the ceremony there and then," Japheth Kirimi, a resident, stated.

"There will be chapati and goats as well as singing and dancing and we shall stay there for 10 days celebrating."

Another resident noted that Tharaka Nithi County was jubilant with Kindiki's nomination since the seat was expected to spearhead development in the area.

"We are waiting for Monday or Tuesday so that we can do the celebration back home. We shall celebrate because we now have someone who will serve us," Wilfred Kaigongi added.

Earlier, Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku called for Mt Kenya East to be separated from the larger Mt Kenya region in effort to independently bargain for development like other politically independent regions.

Ruku argued that the generalisation hurt the East since only the West enjoyed development allocations from the National Government.

“If we ask for Kamumu Dam to be constructed, we are told Riba and Karimenu Dams are in Mt Kenya therefore they will not build for us,” he lamented in mid-October.

“Our problems are unique from those of other regions. We will ensure we are close to the government of President William Ruto so that he can bring us development."

After Gachagua was impeached on Thursday, Ruto swiftly nominated Kindiki who was swiftly approved by the National Assembly on Friday during a special sitting.

The ceremony, which was scheduled to take place at Uhuru Gardens, was called off following a notice issued by the High Court on Friday, October 18 that necessitated the suspension of the event.

President William Ruo (left) and Kithure Kindki
President William Ruo (left) and Kithure Kindki
PCS

Sources intimated that the event was rescheduled to next week but no specific date was given.

The postponement came after the High Court in Nairobi temporarily suspended the former Interior cabinet secretary’s swearing-in until the case filed by Gachagua was heard and determined.

Justice Chacha Mwita observed that the petition raised critical constitutional issues touching not only at the heart of a functioning constitution but also its fundamental tenets of the rule of law and human rights.

The High Court judge further added that the suit also raised substantial questions of law and public interest and therefore fit to be heard by a bench of an uneven number of judges appointed by Chief Justice Martha Koome.