On October 8, 2024, lawmakers took a historic step by voting to impeach the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
They accuse him of corruption, inciting ethnic tensions, and backing anti-government demonstrations that occurred in June this year.
However, Gachagua refuted all the accusations levelled against him, which range from self-enrichment to inciting ethnic discord.
The extraordinary impeachment motion was approved in the National Assembly, with 281 of the 349 members casting their votes in favor, surpassing the necessary two-thirds majority.
The motion will now advance to the upper house of parliament next week for final consideration.
Should it receive approval there, Gachagua would make history as the first deputy president to be ousted from office under Kenya’s updated 2010 constitution.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi announced that the Senate will look into the allegations on October 16 and 17, 2024.
Should two-thirds of the Senate choose to support the impeachment, Gachagua will be removed from office.
His rift with President William Ruto, whom he backed in a 2022 election, spilt into the open after deadly protests this year against proposed tax increases and the cost of living.
Ruto has not commented publicly on the impeachment proceedings.
Gachagua outraged many in Ruto’s coalition for likening the government to a company and suggesting that those who voted for the coalition had first claim on public-sector jobs and development projects.
The push to impeach Gachagua has divided Kenyans, with some saying that parliament should focus on the economy instead of politics and others calling for both Ruto and his deputy to quit.
Gachagua’s conflict with President William Ruto, became apparent following violent protests this year over proposed tax hikes and rising living costs.
Gachagua angered many within Ruto’s coalition by comparing the government to a business and implying that coalition voters should have priority for public sector jobs and development initiatives.
The movement to impeach Gachagua has polarized Kenyans, with some arguing that parliament should prioritize economic issues over political disputes, while others demand the resignation of both Ruto and his deputy.
Ruto has since not uttered anything on the planned impeachment.
Gachagua labelled the motion as nothing more than blatant propaganda and vowed to fight until the very end.
He is often recalled for his support of Ruto during the campaign, and their relationship has consistently been viewed as one of strong camaraderie.
