The government has declared Friday a public holiday to commemorate the swearing-in of Kithure Kindiki as Kenya’s new Deputy President. 

This announcement was formalised by Acting Interior Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi in a gazette notice issued after the Chief of Staff Felix Koskei established a swearing-in committee to oversee the event.

The decision follows a ruling by a three-judge bench--Justices Eric Ogolla, Anthony Mrima, and Freda Mugambi--who lifted previous conservatory orders that had delayed Prof Kindiki's swearing-in.

The court emphasized that any delay in filling the office of the Deputy President would compromise government operations and go against the constitutional mandate.

“We are convinced that the current constitutional framework does not envision any scenario in which the office of the DP would remain vacant except during the brief period required to fill a vacancy,” stated Justice Mrima.

With the court’s ruling, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua officially steps down, concluding his term following the parliamentary process that led to his impeachment.

The National Assembly’s legal team, led by former Attorney General Githu Muigai, advocated for the court to lift the conservatory orders, underscoring the need for uninterrupted government functionality.