In a dramatic turn of events, the Kenyan National Assembly voted late Tuesday to impeach Vice President Rigathi Gachagua, marking a significant political moment for the country. Out of 326 Members of Parliament, 281 supported the motion, while 44 voted against it, and one MP abstained. The results were met with scenes of jubilation in Parliament as the vote to remove Gachagua, who has served as Vice President since William Ruto’s election in 2022, passed overwhelmingly.
Gachagua faced accusations ranging from his alleged involvement in corruption to his support for anti-government protests earlier this year. In a televised address and his defense before Parliament, he refuted these claims, stating that many of the properties tied to the corruption accusations were inherited from his late brother. He also justified the funds spent on renovating his official residence, citing the need to restore it to a more “dignified” condition.
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Despite his efforts to defend himself, the motion gained significant support. Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, citing Article 145 2A of the Kenyan Constitution, confirmed that with more than two-thirds of the National Assembly backing the motion, it would now be forwarded to the Senate for consideration. Should the Senate also vote in favor, Gachagua would become the first Vice President in Kenya to be impeached under the 2010 Constitution.
The grounds for Gachagua’s impeachment, as outlined in Chapter 9 of the Constitution, include gross misconduct, gross violation of the law, and serious suspicions of criminal activity. His impeachment brings to the surface months of growing tension between Gachagua and President William Ruto. Rumors of a falling out between the two had circulated for months, with this move laying bare the division within Kenya’s leadership.
This political shake-up comes in the wake of widespread protests earlier this year, where demonstrators called for President Ruto to step down, citing dissatisfaction with his leadership. As the impeachment process moves to the Senate, the fate of Gachagua hangs in the balance, with the country closely watching what could be a historic decision.