18/10/2024
Hon. (Prof.) Kithure Kindiki, PhD., EGH,
Hon. (Prof.) Kithure Kindiki is currently serving as the Cabinet Secretary for Interior & National Administration, a role he has held since October 2022, with a brief hiatus between 11th July, 2024 and 8th August, 2024, when His Excellency the President dissolved his Cabinet.
As the cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Hon. Kindiki has led and overseen achievement of various milestones and reforms including: the Police Equipment Modernization programme significantly enhancing the capabilities of Kenya's security services; finalization of a strategic framework to commence implementation of Police Reforms recommended by the Hon. Justice David Maraga Taskforce; abolishment of the previous vetting processes for issuance of National Identity cards; recognition of minority groups and stateless communities ensuring they receive Kenyan citizenship and associated rights; operationalization of the Public Benefit Organizations Act; enhancing the fight against banditry and general insecurity around the country; development of a legislative proposal to amend the National Government Coordination Act of 2013 to officially recognize village elders in each unit; and enrolment of 13,120 inmates into formal education programs; among others.
Prior to his appointment to Cabinet, Hon. Kindiki served as the elected Senator for Tharaka Nithi County, from 2013, in which time he also served as the Deputy Speaker of the Senate; as well as the Majority Party Leader in the Senate. In his role as Senate Majority Leader, he spearheaded the legislative agenda of the Majority Party in the Senate and served as the leader of the Majority Party. As Senate Deputy Speaker, Hon. Kindiki deputized the Senate Speaker in presiding over sittings and debates in the House of Senate and enforcing rules of procedure and parliamentary processes. Hon. Kindiki also conducted oversight roles governance of counties and participated in law making on matters affecting counties.
As an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, with legal experience spanning over twenty-four (24) years, Hon. Kindiki has consulted for international organizations including the World Trade Organization (WTO), the African Union (AU), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the United Nations (UN) and UN specialized agencies such the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and practised as Defence Counsel at the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague.
Hon. Kindiki has also taught law and held various administrative positions at Moi University School of Law and the University of Nairobi School of Law. He began his career as an Assistant Lecturer in Law at Moi University immediately upon graduating with an undergraduate degree in law. He then joined the University of Nairobi as a Lecturer after graduating with a PhD in International Law where he quickly rose to the Head of Department of Public Law at the young age of 33 and then to position of Associate Dean at the age of 35. Hon. Kindiki was later promoted to the post of Associate Professor of Law at Kenyatta University. He has authored thirty-five (35) publications including books, book chapters and articles in local and international peer-reviewed journals.
Hon. Kindiki holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B ) degree from Moi University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law, a Master of Laws (LL.M) degree, and a Doctorate (Ph.D.) in International Law from the University of Pretoria in South Africa. His professional affiliations include memberships to the Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS), the International Association for the Study on Forced Migration (IASFM), the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), the East African Law Society (EALS), and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).
