This archive report was first published on 10 July 2021.
The office of the deputy president of Kenya, formerly known as the vice-president, is the second-highest executive position in the country's government. Prior to the 2010 constitution, the president had significant authority over the vice president, appointing and dismissing them at will.
Kenya has had several vice presidents whose tenures were brief, lasting less than two years. This article highlights five such individuals.
One of the earliest examples is Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, who served as vice president from 1964 to 1965, a tenure of just over a year and a half. Odinga was a key figure in Kenya's early years, credited with the phrase 'Not yet Uhuru' and advocating for closer ties with China and the Soviet Union.
Joseph Murumbi, born in 1911 to a Goan father and Maasai mother, served as vice president from 1965 to 1966, a tenure of just 120 days. He was appointed by Jomo Kenyatta but resigned citing personal reasons.
Josephat Karanja served as vice president from 1988 to 1989, a tenure of just over a year. He resigned to avoid a vote of no confidence in the Kenyan Parliament, with allegations of seeking to overthrow President Daniel Arap Moi's government.
Musalia Mudavadi, the last and shortest-serving vice president under President Moi, held the position for 60 days in 2002. He was appointed in an attempt to bring Western Province votes into the KANU party.
Michael Kijana Wamalwa, the eighth president of Kenya, served as vice president from 2003, a tenure of just over seven months. He succumbed to illness while undergoing treatment in London.
