When a vacancy occurs in the office of Deputy President, the President is required to nominate a candidate within 14 days. The National Assembly must then vote on the nomination within 60 days of receiving it.
If a person assumes the office of Deputy President under this process, their term will be classified as follows:
(a) They will be deemed to have served a full term if there are more than two and a half years remaining before the next scheduled election.
(b) If there are two and a half years or less left until the next election, they will be considered as not having served a term in office.
What It Takes to Impeach a Deputy President in Kenya
The impeachment process for the Deputy President of Kenya is outlined in the Constitution and involves several steps:
Grounds for Impeachment
The Deputy President can be impeached on the grounds of gross violation of the Constitution or any other law, misconduct, or incompetence. These grounds must be substantial and well-documented.
Initiation of Impeachment
Impeachment can be initiated by a motion in the National Assembly. At least one-third of the members of the National Assembly must support the motion for it to proceed.
Investigation
Once the motion is passed, the Senate conducts an investigation to determine the validity of the allegations. This involves collecting evidence, hearing testimonies, and reviewing documents.
Senate Proceedings
If the Senate finds sufficient grounds for impeachment, a vote is held. A two-thirds majority is required in the Senate to impeach the Deputy President.
Final Decision
If the Senate votes in favor of impeachment, the Deputy President is removed from office. If not, they remain in their position.
Has Kenya Impeached Any Deputy President?
As of now, Kenya has not impeached any Deputy President since the establishment of the current Constitution in 2010. The country has seen political tensions and controversies involving Deputy Presidents, but none have reached the level of impeachment.
The most notable case was that of Deputy President William Ruto, who faced various political challenges and allegations during his tenure. However, no formal impeachment motion has been passed against him or any other Deputy President in Kenya.
Also read:Dp Gachagua Criticizes Arrest Plans For His Aides And Allies As Outdated Political Tactic
