NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 1— Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has broken his silence following the swearing-in of his successor, Kithure Kindiki, sharing a heartfelt message of gratitude for his family and return to his rural roots.
In a statement, Gachagua expressed his joy at being home, away from the responsibilities of high office.
“Home Sweet Home! Thanking God for the gift of my family,” he wrote as shared a picture of his family including his wife Dorcas Gachagua and their two sons.
“The smell of fresh grass, the sounds of chirping birds—that’s what a happy family needs. I will remain forever grateful to God for giving me a loving and supportive family. We are happy to be home, where I was born and brought up!”
Gachagua, who was impeached on October 17, said he looks forward to reconnecting with nature and the simplicity of rural life.
“I can’t wait for the morning to take my walk in Hombe Forest, enjoy the beautiful scenery of Mt Kenya as I thank God for His kindness,” he added, painting a picture of a peaceful return to his roots.
Gachagua’s remarks come just hours after Kithure Kindiki was sworn in as the new Deputy President, following a period of legal challenges and political shifts that ended with Kindiki’s assumption of office.
The swearing in ceremony of Kindiki at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) was attended by President William Ruto and a host of political and diplomatic dignitaries.
Justices Eric Ogola, Anthony Mrima, and Dr. Freda Mugambi cleared the hurdle on Kindiki’s path after ruling on Thursday that a prolonged vacancy in the Office of the Deputy President would suspend sections of the Constitution, which would be against public interest.
A Kerugoya Court had issued the conservatory order blocking Kindiki’s swearing-in on October 18, shortly after President Ruto nominated the Interior Cabinet Secretary to replace Gachagua, who was impeached on October 17.
“The applications for conservatory orders are hereby disallowed. The conservatory orders issued on October 18, 2024, in Kerugoya High Court are hereby discharged,” the bench ruled.
The bench noted that an extension of conservatory orders would leave the office vacant since the orders did not imply Gachagua’s reinstatement as Deputy President.
Led by Justice Ogola, the bench held that under Kenya’s post-2010 Constitution, the Deputy President’s functions cannot be assumed by the President, the Speaker of the National Assembly, or any other official, making an extended vacancy untenable.
“We are convinced that the current constitutional framework does not envision any scenario in which the office of the Deputy President would remain vacant except during the brief period required to fill a vacancy,” the bench ruled.
Source: capitalfm
