Abraham Kithure Kindiki (born 17 July 1972) is a Kenyan politician, lawyer and a former law professor who is the 3rd and current

deputy President of Kenya The deputy president of the Republic of Kenya (Swahili language, Swahili: ''Naibu Rais wa Jamhuri ya Kenya'') is the principal assistant to the President of Kenya, President of the Republic of Kenya. The current appointed deputy president of K ...

since 1 November 2024. He previously served as the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration from 2022 to 2024 and as the

Senator A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or Legislative chamber, chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the Ancient Rome, ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior ...

for

Tharaka-Nithi County Tharaka-Nithi County is one of the 47 counties of Kenya. It was created from Kenya's Eastern Province (Kenya), Eastern Province. The county has an area of 2609 km2 and as of the 2019 census a population of 393,177. It is home to the Meru p ...

from 2013 to 2022.

Early life and education

Kindiki was born and raised in Meru District. Kindiki attended Lenana School where he scored Grade C in his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE). Since this grade failed to meet university pass mark he decided to retake the exam at Tharaka Boys High School, in the then Meru District. In 1998, he obtained a Bachelor of Laws degree (LLB) from Moi University. In 2000 he obtained a Master of Laws (LLM) in International Human Rights Law and Democracy from the

University of Pretoria The University of Pretoria (, ) is a multi-campus public university, public research university in Pretoria, the administrative and ''de facto'' capital of South Africa. The university was established in 1908 as the Pretoria campus of the Johan ...

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. Its Provinces of South Africa, nine provinces are bounded to the south by of coastline that stretches along the Atlantic O ...

. He also attended the Advocates' Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies at the

Kenya School of Law The Kenya School of Law (KSL) is the only bar school in Kenya. After completing an undergraduate degree in law from a recognized university, students attend the Kenya School of Law to prepare for admission to the Kenyan Bar. History The Kenya ...

in 2001, which is a requirement for one to qualify as an advocate after completing a bachelor's degree in law. In 2002, he graduated with a PhD in International Law from the University of Pretoria. In 1999, he began working as a law lecturer at Moi University. He started working at the

University of Nairobi The University of Nairobi (uonbi or UoN; ) is a college, collegiate research university based in Nairobi and is the largest List of universities and colleges in Kenya, university in Kenya. Although its history as an educational institution dat ...

in 2004 and remained there until 2005 when he returned to Moi University to lead the public law department.

Political career

Senate

In the

2013 Kenyan general election General elections were held in Kenya on 4 March 2013. Voters elected the President of Kenya, President, members of the National Assembly (Kenya), National Assembly and newly formed Senate of Kenya, Senate. Also elected include Governor, governor ...

, Kindiki was elected to represent Tharaka-Nithi County in the Senate. He was chosen to serve as the Senate's first majority leader. He was reelected in the 2017 election, and was chosen to be the Deputy Speaker of the Senate. In 2020, Kindiki was kicked out from the position of deputy speaker for his close association with the then Deputy President William Ruto.

Cabinet

Kindiki was among the top candidates considered to be William Ruto's running mates for his presidential campaign. Member of Parliament Rigathi Gachagua was chosen instead. Kindiki was instead appointed to serve as the Minister of Interior. Mwenda Gataya succeeded him as Tharaka Nithi senator. Kindiki was dismissed from the cabinet on 11 July 2024, but was reappointed back to the cabinet on 19 July 2024, as the Cabinet secretary for Interior and Administration of National Government. Key among his achievements include: streamlining of e-passport issuance procedures and restoration of the supply of passport booklets, the Police Equipment Modernization programme significantly enhancing the capabilities of Kenya's security services; finalization of a strategic framework to commence implementation of Police Reforms recommended by the Hon. Justice David Maraga Taskforce; abolishment of the previous vetting processes for issuance of National Identity cards; recognition of minority groups and stateless communities ensuring they receive Kenyan citizenship and associated rights; operationalization of the Public Benefit Organizations Act; enhancing the fight against banditry and general insecurity around the country; development of a legislative proposal to amend the National Government Coordination Act of 2013 to officially recognize village elders in each unit; and enrolment of 13,120 inmates into formal education programs; among others. Kindiki was nominated by President Ruto to become deputy president following the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua on 17 October 2024 and received the approval of the Senate. However, his assumption of the position did not push through after the High Court ordered a temporary halt to Gachagua's removal on 18 October pending a hearing on 24 October 2024. On 31 October 2024, the Nairobi High Court overturned another court's order to stay Kithure Kindiki's swearing-in.

Deputy President

On 1 November 2024, following the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua, Kithure Kindiki was officially sworn in as the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya. He assumed the role under the administration of President Ruto.

Personal life

He married Joyce Gatiiria Njagi in 2001. They have three children.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kindiki, Kithure A. 1972 births Kenyan politicians Living people Alumni of Lenana School Moi University alumni University of Pretoria alumni Academic staff of Moi University People from Tharaka-Nithi County Academic staff of the University of Nairobi