Kenyan Lawmakers Impeach Deputy President Over Corruption Allegations

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Kenya’s National Assembly has voted to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of corruption and abuse of office. In a heated session on Tuesday night, lawmakers overwhelmingly supported the motion, with 281 members voting in favor of his removal, 44 against, and one abstaining. The final decision now rests with the Senate, which will determine whether Gachagua will lose his position.

The impeachment comes after a falling-out between Gachagua and President William Ruto, with tensions escalating over the past months. Gachagua, who has been at the center of various controversies, presented his defense to the National Assembly for over 90 minutes, but the majority of lawmakers were unconvinced.

Gachagua faces accusations of acquiring property through corrupt means, though he insists the assets in question belonged to his late brother. He is also charged with engaging in ethnic politics and undermining the government. Gachagua has strongly denied these claims, dismissing them as propaganda aimed at tarnishing his reputation.

In his defense, the embattled deputy president called the allegations “outrageous” and maintained that they were politically motivated. However, his critics argue that his abrasive style and poor relationship with other politicians contributed to his downfall.

Political commentator Martin Andati remarked, “His fate is sealed. He antagonized the MPs, he antagonized the Senate by speaking poorly about both chambers and their speakers. He’s not known for having good people skills, which worked against him.”

While a majority of lawmakers backed the impeachment, there was dissent among some members of parliament. Robert Mbui, the deputy leader of the minority, voiced concerns that the focus on Gachagua’s impeachment was diverting attention from more pressing national issues, such as the rising cost of living and unemployment.

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“The cost of living has skyrocketed, and people are struggling to find jobs. These are the real issues this house should be addressing,” said Mbui. “Spending weeks debating one man is not what our citizens need right now. We should be concentrating on matters that directly affect our people.”

Kenya has seen significant unrest in recent months, with a wave of protests against President Ruto’s administration. Many of these protests have been driven by allegations of corruption involving government officials, high taxes, and parliament’s perceived lack of independence from the presidency.

Gachagua has also been accused of playing a role in organizing some of these protests, though he has denied any involvement.

Kenyan political analyst Harman Manyora expressed concerns over the long-term implications of Gachagua’s impeachment. “This sets a dangerous precedent for Kenya’s political stability. Our country is already deeply divided along ethnic lines, and moves like this could exacerbate tensions,” he warned. “If this continues, we could see governments rise and fall as they do in parliamentary democracies like the UK or India, which could destabilize Kenya’s political future.”

The Senate will now take up the impeachment proceedings, with debates expected to continue next week. If the Senate votes to remove Gachagua, the deputy president may seek legal recourse to challenge the decision and clear his name.

For now, the political drama continues to unfold as Kenyans wait to see how this high-stakes battle for power will play out and what impact it will have on the country’s governance and future.

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