Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Friday, November 1, 2024, shared his first speech as the country’s third DP moments after he took oath of office.
Speaking shortly after being sworn in at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC), Kindiki expressed gratitude to President William Ruto for appointing him to the position.
He also proclaimed his admiration for Ruto asserting that he has been his political student for 20 years.
“Words fail me to explain how grateful I am today. I’m grateful to President Ruto for the honour he has given me to serve under him. I have been his political student for 20 years and nothing in the political space has helped me pick up lessons more than the years that I have walked around him,” he said.
“For a person such as me to stand here today and take oath of the office of the deputy president, it can only happen in Kenya. I was born 52 years in one of the remotest part of Kenya, but because Kenya is the homeland of possibilities today I am standing here today because Kenya has made it possible.”
At the same time, Kindiki hailed the country’s democracy and expressed faith in institutions saying: “Whatever has happened in the last few weeks, and in the recent past, is a testament to the maturity of our democracy and a testament that our institutions work.”
Kindiki’s assumption to office follows former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s legal fights after he was impeached by parliament.
After he was impeached by parliament and later the Senate, Gachagua who failed to appear for cross-examination at the Senate, moved to court to seek orders barring Kindiki from taking oath of office.
A three-bench at the High Court comprised of Justices Eric Ogola, Anthony Mrima, and Fredah Mugambi overturned the orders paving way for Kindiki’s swearing-in ceremony.
