Deputy President of Kenya in the context of Kithure Kindiki

William Kipchirchir Samoei Arap Ruto CGH (born 21 December 1966) is a Kenyan politician who is the fifth and current president of Kenya since 13 September 2022. Prior to becoming president, he served as the first elected deputy president of Kenya from 2013 to 2022. He previously served in three cabinet portfolios as the Minister for Home Affairs, the Minister of Agriculture and as Minister for Higher Education.

Ruto was elected Member of Parliament for Eldoret North constituency from 1997 to 2007 under the KANU, and from 2007 to 2013 through the ODM party. He was the Minister for Home Affairs in the Daniel arap Moi administration from August to December 2002.

The Cabinet of the Republic of Kenya is made up of the elected President and Deputy President, together with the appointed Attorney General, and Cabinet Secretaries. Cabinet Secretaries are nominated by the President and approved by Parliament, following vetting procedure. Once approved, they can be reshuffled at the President's discretion.

Article 152 of the Constitution of Kenya sets the procedure for appointment confirmation and dismissal of cabinet secretaries. It provides that there shall be a minimum of 14 and a maximum of 22 cabinet secretaries. A Cabinet Secretary is not a member of the Kenyan Parliament and has to be vetted by a parliamentary committee before their appointment.