Deputy President of Kenya Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya
Coat of arms of Kenya
Incumbent Kithure Kindiki
Style	His Excellency/Her Excellency
Residence	The Deputy President's Mansion
Seat	Nairobi
Appointer	Direct popular vote or, if vacant, President
Term length	Five years, renewable once
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Kenya
Inaugural holder	Jaramogi Oginga Odinga
Formation	12 December 1964; 60 years ago (1964-12-12)
Salary	KSh.14,724,000.00 annual
Website	www.deputypresident.go.ke

The Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya (in Swahili: Naibu Rais wa Jamhuri ya Kenya) is the main helper to the President of Kenya. Think of them as the President's right-hand person, ready to step in and help lead the country.

What is the Deputy President's Role?
How the Role Has Changed
Becoming Deputy President
List of Deputy Presidents and Vice Presidents
See also

What is the Deputy President's Role?

The Deputy President is a very important leader in Kenya. They work closely with the President to manage the country. Their main jobs include helping the President with their duties and taking over if the President is away or cannot do their job for a short time. The Deputy President also handles other tasks that the President or the Kenyan Constitution gives them.

How the Role Has Changed

From Vice President to Deputy President

Before 2010, the person in this role was called the Vice President. Back then, the President could choose and remove the Vice President whenever they wanted.

New Rules from the 2010 Constitution

In 2010, Kenya introduced a new Constitution. This new set of rules changed things a lot to make the process fairer. Now, the Deputy President is chosen differently. When someone runs for President, they must pick a "running mate." If the presidential candidate wins the election, their running mate automatically becomes the Deputy President.

Another big change is that the Deputy President cannot hold any other government job. Their only focus is on their role as Deputy President, helping the President and doing what the Constitution says.

Past Leaders in This Role

Since Kenya became independent, there has only been one time when this office was empty for a while. Interestingly, three people who served as Vice President or Deputy President later became President themselves: Mwai Kibaki, Daniel arap Moi, and William Ruto. William Ruto is the current President. Before he became President, he served as acting President for a few days when President Uhuru Kenyatta temporarily stepped aside.

Becoming Deputy President

Who Can Be Deputy President?

To become the Deputy President, a person must first be chosen as the running mate for a presidential candidate. They also need to meet the same requirements as someone running for President.

The Election Process

After the presidential elections, if a candidate wins, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (which manages elections) announces them as the President-elect. Their running mate is then announced as the Deputy President-elect.

When They Take Office

The Deputy President-elect starts their job on the same day as the President-elect. They serve for five years. Their term ends when a new President is sworn in, or if they become President themselves, or if they resign, pass away, or are removed from office according to the Constitution.

List of Deputy Presidents and Vice Presidents

This table shows the people who have served as Vice President or Deputy President of Kenya. Remember, the title changed in 2010.

Political parties

Kenya African National Union (KANU) National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) / Party of National Unity (PNU) Orange Democratic Movement – Kenya (ODM–K) Jubilee Alliance (JA) United Democratic Alliance (UDA)

Symbols

Died in office

No.	Picture	Name (Birth–Death)	Term of office			Political party
No.	Picture	Name (Birth–Death)	Took office	Left office	Time in office	Political party
Vice President of Kenya
1		Jaramogi Oginga Odinga (1911–1994)	12 December 1964	14 April 1966	1 year, 123 days	KANU
2		Joseph Murumbi (1911–1990)	3 May 1966	30 November 1966	120 days	KANU
3		Daniel arap Moi (1924–2020)	5 January 1967	22 August 1978	11 years, 229 days	KANU
4		Mwai Kibaki (1931–2022)	14 October 1978	24 March 1988	9 years, 162 days	KANU
5		Josephat Karanja (1931–1994)	24 March 1988	1 May 1989	1 year, 38 days	KANU
6		George Saitoti (1945–2012)	1 May 1989	8 January 1998	8 years, 252 days	KANU
6		George Saitoti (1945–2012)	3 April 1999	30 August 2002	3 years, 149 days	KANU
7		Musalia Mudavadi (born 1960)	4 November 2002	3 January 2003	60 days	KANU
8		Michael Kijana Wamalwa (1944–2003)	3 January 2003	23 August 2003	232 days	NARC
9		Moody Awori (born 1928)	25 September 2003	9 January 2008	4 years, 106 days	NARC / PNU
10		Kalonzo Musyoka (born 1953)	9 January 2008	9 April 2013	5 years, 90 days	ODM–K
Deputy President of Kenya
11		William Ruto (born 1966)	9 April 2013	13 September 2022	9 years, 157 days	Jubilee
12		Geoffrey Rigathi Gachagua (born 1965)	13 September 2022	31 October 2024	2 years, 48 days	UDA
13		Abraham Kithure Kindiki (born 1972)	1 November 2024		230 days	UDA