In a dramatic turn of events, Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has become the first deputy president to be impeached by the National Assembly. An overwhelming 281 MPs voted in favor of the impeachment motion, with 44 voting against and one abstaining.
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Gachagua faces 11 charges, including accusations of corruption, ethnically divisive politics, and undermining the government. He is alleged to have acquired properties through corrupt means, amassing assets worth 5.2 billion Kenyan shillings ($40 million) in just two years. Gachagua denies any wrongdoing, dismissing the allegations as “outrageous” and “sheer propaganda.”
The impeachment process has exposed a deep rift between President William Ruto and Gachagua, who were once allies. Ruto has yet to comment publicly on the impeachment motion. The fallout between the two leaders has sparked concerns about the stability of the Kenyan government.
The Senate will now convene to decide Gachagua’s fate. If at least two-thirds of the Senate members vote to uphold any charge, he will be removed from office. The outcome will have significant implications for Kenyan politics and the country’s future.
The impeachment motion has received mixed reactions from the public. While 65% of respondents in a parliamentary report supported Gachagua’s impeachment, nearly 34% opposed it. The development has shifted focus away from the Kenyan public’s concerns about the high cost of living.
Gachagua, a wealthy businessman from the vote-rich Mount Kenya region, has battled previous corruption scandals. His impeachment marks a significant turning point in his political career. Will he be removed from office, or will he survive the Senate vote? Only time will tell.