KENYAN lawmakers have overwhelmingly voted to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, citing allegations of corruption and accusations of promoting ethnic divisions. Gachagua, who denies any wrongdoing, has found himself at odds with President William Ruto following their recent political fallout.
On Tuesday evening, Speaker Moses Wetangula announced that 281 MPs supported the 11-charge impeachment motion, with 44 opposing and one abstaining. This historic vote makes Gachagua the first Kenyan deputy president to be impeached by the National Assembly. The Senate will now decide whether to remove him from office.
Gachagua, a wealthy businessman, is accused of acquiring properties through corrupt means. He claims that much of the contested property belonged to his late brother’s estate. However, the political climate is charged, with many MPs seizing the opportunity to show allegiance to President Ruto and damage Gachagua’s reputation.
The political turmoil comes at a time when many Kenyans are grappling with high living costs, a fact that has been somewhat overshadowed by the drama at the top levels of government. Gachagua, often referred to as ‘Riggy G,’ has described the charges as ‘outrageous’ and a product of ‘sheer propaganda.’
Tensions between Ruto and Gachagua have been simmering since June, following deadly protests over tax increases. The demonstrations exposed a deepening rift between the two leaders, with Gachagua’s allies facing police scrutiny for allegedly funding the protests, though no formal charges were brought.
Security was tightened across Nairobi on Tuesday, with major roads leading to Parliament closed to the public. Local media reported that Gachagua had enlisted 20 lawyers to defend him against the impeachment charges, which include accusations of amassing assets worth KSh5.2bn (£31 million) in unexplained wealth.
Gachagua, defiant in the face of mounting pressure, has vowed to fight the charges, declaring, ‘I am innocent of all these charges… I will fight to the end.’ He also defended the costly renovations to his official residence, which had drawn public criticism.
The impeachment process was initiated after 291 MPs, exceeding the constitutional requirement of 117, signed the motion last week. A public consultation saw over 200,000 responses, with 65 percent supporting Gachagua’s removal from office.
Gachagua made a public appeal on Sunday, asking President Ruto and MPs for forgiveness for any missteps, though he clarified that his apology was not an admission of guilt. President Ruto has yet to comment publicly on the impeachment, but in the past, he has stated that he would never humiliate his deputy in public.
Gachagua’s impeachment marks a significant chapter in Kenyan politics, as he joins a rare group of high-ranking officials facing removal from office. The country has not seen a vice-president face similar proceedings since Josephat Karanja in 1989.
The fate of Kenya’s deputy president now lies with the Senate, which will determine whether Gachagua will be officially ousted from his position.
