Kenyan lawmakers are set to vote on the potential impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, amid escalating political tensions following a fallout with President William Ruto. The accusations against Gachagua include corruption, engaging in ethnically divisive politics, and undermining the government.
Gachagua, who is 59 years old and often referred to as “Riggy G,” has labeled the allegations as “outrageous” and a form of “sheer propaganda,” asserting that they are part of a strategy to oust him from office. He plans to defend himself before parliament prior to the vote, with the impeachment proceedings expected to proceed to the Senate afterward.
In recent months, political unrest has grown in Kenya, particularly since June, which saw protests erupt in response to unpopular tax hikes, resulting in over 50 deaths. Following these anti-tax demonstrations, Ruto dismissed most of his cabinet, bringing in members of the opposition, while several MPs linked to Gachagua were questioned by police over allegations of funding the protests, though no charges were filed.
As the vote approaches, security in the capital city, Nairobi, has intensified, with substantial police presence and restricted access to key roads leading to parliament. Reports suggest around 20 lawyers have been appointed to defend Gachagua against the impeachment motion.
Last week, 291 MPs signed the motion to initiate impeachment, surpassing the 117 signatures required by the constitution. Gachagua has unsuccessfully sought legal action to halt the proceedings. In a recent televised address, he accused the MP responsible for drafting the motion, Mwengi Mutuse, of spreading misinformation, labeling the motion as “shameful and sensational.” The impeachment motion cites 11 grounds, including claims that he amassed assets worth 5.2 billion Kenyan shillings ($40 million) within two years from unexplained wealth.
Gachagua firmly denied the charges and declared, “I have no intention whatsoever to resign from this job. I will fight to the end,” asserting that some assets mentioned belonged to his late brother. He also defended the contentious renovation of his official residence.
Constitutionally, public consultation is required for significant parliamentary decisions. Feedback showed that over 200,000 responses were received, with approximately 65% supporting the impeachment and nearly 34% opposing it.
On Sunday, Gachagua appealed to Ruto and the MPs for forgiveness regarding any mistakes made, though he specified that this was not an admission of guilt. While Ruto has yet to make a public statement on the impending impeachment, he previously indicated that he would never humiliate his deputy.
For the motion to succeed, it needs the backing of at least two-thirds of the National Assembly, which is likely, given the main opposition’s current alliance with the president’s party. If the Senate also supports the motion, Gachagua would make history as the first deputy president to be impeached under Kenya’s 2010 constitution, a stark contrast to 1989, when then Vice-President Josephat Karanja resigned amid similar pressures.
