Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has entered the history books as Kenya’s first second-in-command to be impeached by the lawmakers.
In a dramatic turn of events, the impeachment motion was passed following heated debates, making him the highest-ranking government official ever removed from office by the Parliament – both the Senate and National Assembly.
The motion, which cited gross misconduct and abuse of office, garnered significant support from Senators. After weeks of political wrangling and mounting pressure, the vote was held, with a majority of lawmakers backing Gachagua’s removal.
Grounds for Impeachment
The impeachment process, initiated by a faction of MPs opposed to the Deputy President’s leadership, accused Gachagua of several counts of misconduct. Key allegations included undermining government unity, involvement in corruption, and interference with state appointments. The motion also claimed that Gachagua’s public conduct had contributed to a breakdown in relations between him and President William Ruto, jeopardizing the administration’s ability to function cohesively.
MPs supporting the motion argued that Gachagua’s actions were not only detrimental to the office of the presidency but also eroded public trust in the government.
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“We cannot have a Deputy President who continuously engages in divisive politics and lacks accountability,” said Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna in late-night debate on Gachagua ouster motion.
Parliament’s Landmark Decision
The impeachment vote represents a landmark decision in Kenya’s political landscape. With a two-thirds majority required to pass the motion.
What’s Next for Gachagua?
Legal experts suggest that he may challenge the decision in court, with some arguing that the process was politically motivated. However, for now, the former Deputy President finds himself out of office, a dramatic fall for a man who rose to prominence alongside President Ruto in the 2022 general election.
In response to the impeachment, Gachagua released a brief statement, calling the proceedings “unfair” and “a betrayal of the will of the people.” He further indicated that he would explore all legal avenues to overturn the decision.
Last week, an overwhelming majority of MPs in the National Assembly – the lower house of parliament – voted to impeach him, setting the stage for his two-day trial in the Senate.
Gachagua, a wealthy businessman from the vote-rich central Mount Kenya region who was present in the house on Thursday morning before falling ill, has described the impeachment as a “political lynching”.
President William Ruto has moved quickly to name a replacement and on Friday morning, nominated Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki to become his deputy. This has been unanimously approved by parliament.
The 52-year-old is a close ally of the president and served as his lawyer during his trial for crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC) that was eventually dismissed because of a lack of evidence.
Kindiki was people’s favourite in the run up to the 2022 General Election when Ruto went to Central Kenya in search of a running mate – but he (Ruto) preferred Gachagua, a vocal politician with strong financial muscle to help him bulldoze through the region in search of votes.
