NAIROBI, Oct 18 (Reuters) – Kenya’s President William Ruto has nominated interior minister Kithure Kindiki as his new deputy president, a day after the Senate voted to impeach Ruto’s previous deputy Rigathi Gachagua.

“I have received a message from … the president, regarding the nomination of Professor Kithure Kindiki to fill the vacancy which has occurred in the office,” Speaker Moses Wetang’ula said in parliament on Friday.

Gachagua, who denied all the charges against him during impeachment proceedings, backed Ruto in his 2022 election win and helped secure a large block of votes from the populous central Kenya region.

But in recent months, Gachagua has spoken of being sidelined, amid widespread reports in local media that he has fallen out with Ruto as political alliances have shifted.

Kindiki, a close ally of Ruto, has held the interior ministry post throughout Ruto’s two years as president.

He previously served as senator for Tharaka Nithi County and was a top contender to be Ruto’s running mate during the 2022 election.

Parliament will later have to vote to approve Kindiki’s appointment before he is sworn in.

(Reporting by George Obulutsa; Editing by Alexander Winning and Andrew Heavens)