As the second most powerful sitting politician in Kenya, the Deputy President has been an important figure in Kenya’s leadership for decades.
Although Vice Presidents before the 2010 Constitution were nominated after an election, they are now elected on a joint ticket with the President. Just as the President of Kenya is required to be well educated, the Deputy President is expected to have almost the same capacity so as to act as the principal assistant to the Head of State.
Previously, higher education was not very common among second-in-commands, but now it is one of the key considerations.
In this segment, Times Digital Kenya takes a look at the educational qualifications of the eight previous Deputy Presidents of Kenya.
George Saitoti
Professor Saitoti was not only the longest-serving Vice President in Kenya’s history but also one of the most highly educated.
Saitoti was a well-known academic, mathematician, and economist. He first pursued his undergraduate studies at Brandeis University in the USA, where he studied Mathematics and Economics.
He didn’t stop there; he obtained a Master of Science in Mathematics from the University of Sussex in Brighton, UK, before earning a PhD in Mathematics (specializing in topology, specifically Mod-2 K-theory) from the University of Warwick.
Before venturing into politics, Saitoti was a Mathematics lecturer at the University of Nairobi. His prowess in the maths field saw him serve as Vice-President of the African Mathematics Union from 1976 to 1979.
Musalia Mudavadi
Mudavadi, who is now the Prime Cabinet Secretary, attended Jamhuri High School and Nairobi School for his A-levels before joining the University of Nairobi, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Land Economics.
Kijana Wamalwa
The late Kijana Wamalwa, the eighth Vice President, was just like George Saitoti—well educated.
For his higher education, Wamalwa attended King’s College London, where he earned a Bachelor of Laws degree before proceeding to the London School of Economics (LSE).
Thereafter, Kijana Wamalwa was called to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn, London, United Kingdom.
Moody Awori
Moody Awori, who took over as Vice President after the death of Kijana Wamalwa, attended Makerere University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Administration.
During his time there, Makerere was East Africa’s top school. In 2004, while serving as Vice President, Southern New Hampshire University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws.
Kalonzo Musyoka
Kalonzo, the 10th Vice President of Kenya, attended Kitui High School for his O-levels and later Meru High School for his A-level education.
For his higher education, he joined the University of Nairobi, where he obtained a Bachelor of Laws degree.
Aside from the degree, he also holds a diploma in Business Management from the Mediterranean Institute of Management in Cyprus.
William Ruto
President William Ruto, who served as the first Deputy President under the new constitution, is one of the well-educated politicians in Kenya.
During his youthful days, he attended the University of Nairobi, where he earned a B.S. in Botany and Zoology in 1990.
Years later, he completed an M.S. in Plant Ecology and subsequently a Ph.D. in Plant Ecology, both from the University of Nairobi.
Rigathi Gachagua
After completing his O- and A-levels at Kianyaga High School, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua attended the University of Nairobi, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Literature.
Kithure Kindiki
Kithure Kindiki, the current Deputy President, boasts an impressive academic resume.
He first earned an undergraduate degree in Law (LLB) from Moi University. He also holds a Diploma in Legal Studies from the Kenya School of Law.
In addition, Kindiki holds a Master’s degree in International Human Rights Law as well as a PhD in International Law. Before venturing into politics, he lectured at Moi University and later served as Head of the Department of Public Law at the University of Nairobi.
Alongside his political career, Kithure Kindiki is an Advocate of both the High Court of Kenya and the International Criminal Court.
