Kithure Kindiki facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kithure Kindiki
EGH
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Kindiki in 2023
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| 13th Deputy President of Kenya | |
| Assumed office 1 November 2024 |
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| President | William Ruto |
| Preceded by | Rigathi Gachagua |
| Deputy Party Leader of the United Democratic Alliance | |
| Assumed office 11 November 2024 |
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| Leader | William Ruto |
| Preceded by | Rigathi Gachagua |
| Cabinet Secretary for Interior | |
| In office 22 October 2022 – 31 October 2024 |
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| President | William Ruto |
| Preceded by | Fred Matiang'i |
| Succeeded by | Musalia Mudavadi (acting) |
| Senator for Tharaka-Nithi County | |
| In office 4 March 2013 – 9 September 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Mwenda Getaya |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Abraham Kithure Kindiki
17 July 1972 Tharaka, Meru District, Eastern Province, Kenya |
| Political party | United Democratic Alliance (2021–present) |
| Spouse |
Joyce Njagi
(m. 2001) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Lenana School |
| Alma mater |
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| Occupation | Politician, lawyer |
Abraham Kithure Kindiki, born on July 17, 1972, is a well-known Kenyan politician and lawyer. He is currently the 13th Deputy President of Kenya, a role he started on November 1, 2024. Before this, he was the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration from 2022 to 2024. He also served as a Senator for Tharaka-Nithi County from 2013 to 2022.
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Early Life and Education
Kindiki grew up in Meru District, Kenya. He first attended Lenana School. There, he took his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams.
Because his first KCSE results were not enough for university, he decided to retake the exam. He went to Tharaka Boys High School in Meru District to improve his grades.
In 1998, he earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from Moi University. He then continued his studies in South Africa. In 2000, he received a Master of Laws degree from the University of Pretoria. This degree focused on International Human Rights Law and Democracy.
He also studied at the Kenya School of Law in 2001. This training is needed to become a qualified lawyer in Kenya. In 2002, he completed his education with a PhD in International Law from the University of Pretoria.
Kindiki started his career as a law lecturer at Moi University in 1999. In 2004, he moved to the University of Nairobi. He returned to Moi University in 2005 to lead the public law department.
Political Career
Serving in the Senate
In the 2013 Kenyan general election, Kindiki was elected as a Senator. He represented Tharaka-Nithi County. He was chosen to be the first Majority Leader in the Senate.
He was reelected in the 2017 election. After this, he became the Deputy Speaker of the Senate. In 2020, he was removed from his position as Deputy Speaker.
Cabinet Minister Role
Kindiki was considered a strong candidate to be William Ruto's running mate for president. However, Rigathi Gachagua was chosen instead. Kindiki was then appointed as the Cabinet Secretary for Interior.
Mwenda Gataya took over his role as Senator for Tharaka Nithi. Kindiki was briefly removed from the cabinet on July 11, 2024. But he was reappointed on July 19, 2024, as the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Administration of National Government.
During his time as Cabinet Secretary, he achieved several important things. He made it easier to get e-passports. He also improved the supply of passport booklets. He started a program to modernize police equipment. This helped make Kenya's security services stronger.
He also worked on police reforms. He ended old ways of checking people for National Identity cards. He helped minority groups and stateless communities get Kenyan citizenship. He also worked to stop banditry and improve safety across the country. He helped create a plan to officially recognize village elders. He also helped 13,120 inmates get formal education.
Becoming Deputy President
On October 17, 2024, President Ruto nominated Kindiki to become Deputy President. This happened after Rigathi Gachagua was removed from the position. The Senate approved Kindiki's nomination.
However, a court order temporarily stopped Gachagua's removal. This meant Kindiki's swearing-in was delayed. On October 31, 2024, the Nairobi High Court allowed Kindiki's swearing-in to proceed.
On November 1, 2024, Kithure Kindiki was officially sworn in. He became the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya. He now serves under President Ruto.
Personal Life
Kithure Kindiki married Joyce Gatiiria Njagi in 2001. They have three children together.
