Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto has nominated and forwarded to the National Assembly the name of Professor Kithure Kindiki as Deputy President.

This comes after vice president Rigath Gachagua was impeached due to corruption allegations.

If approved, the Interior Cabinet Secretary will succeed Gachagua who was impeached on Thursday.

The tensions over Gachagua’s impeachment risk introducing more uncertainty for investors and others in East Africa’s commercial hub.

Ruto, who came to office claiming to represent Kenya’s poorest citizens, has faced widespread criticism for his efforts to raise taxes in an effort to find ways to pay off foreign creditors.

But the public opposition led him to shake up his cabinet and back off certain proposals.