Kenya’s Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua Impeached

Kenya’s Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was impeached on Thursday, marking a significant moment in the nation’s political landscape. This historic impeachment makes Gachagua the first deputy president to be removed from office since the impeachment process was established under Kenya’s revised 2010 constitution.

The Senate voted to impeach Gachagua on five out of eleven charges after a motion was overwhelmingly approved by the National Assembly last week. The decision followed a day filled with drama, as Gachagua, often referred to as “Riggy G,” was unable to testify in his defense due to being admitted to a Nairobi hospital with chest pains.

Gachagua’s impeachment comes amid a deteriorating relationship with President William Ruto. The two leaders initially formed a strong alliance during the 2022 election campaign, where Gachagua played a crucial role in securing votes from the influential Mount Kenya region. However, their partnership has since soured, culminating in Gachagua’s removal from office.

In a notable judgment, the Senate found Gachagua guilty of charges including threatening judges and practicing ethnically divisive politics. However, he was acquitted of charges related to corruption and money laundering. This impeachment has sparked a wave of political uncertainty in Kenya, a country often viewed as a stable democracy in a region known for volatility.

As Gachagua’s fate was being decided by the Senate, he was undergoing medical tests at Karen Hospital in Nairobi. According to Chief Cardiologist Dan Gikonyo, Gachagua was in stable condition but would remain hospitalized for at least 48 to 72 hours. The Senate proceeded with its hearing despite Gachagua’s health issues, leading his lawyers to stage a walkout in protest. They argued that Gachagua had a constitutional right to defend himself during the proceedings.

The National Assembly had previously voted 282 to 69 on October 8 to impeach Gachagua, surpassing the two-thirds majority required for such a decision. The Senate’s process differed, as senators only needed to support one charge by at least two-thirds of the votes for the impeachment to succeed. Gachagua’s attempts to halt the impeachment through legal challenges were unsuccessful, with the last of these attempts failing just hours before the Senate trial began.

Gachagua denied all charges against him, labeling them as “nonsensical” and “outrageous.” He expressed feelings of betrayal and claimed he was being treated like a “spent cartridge.” His public comments suggested that he believed President Ruto was complicit in the impeachment process, stating that it could not have proceeded without the president’s consent.

Despite the impeachment, no criminal charges have been filed against Gachagua, who now has the option to contest the decision in court since the parliamentary proceedings are complete. President Ruto has 14 days to nominate a new deputy president. Media speculation includes names such as Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki, Foreign Minister and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, and County Governor Anne Waiguru as potential successors.

Gachagua, a powerful figure from the Kikuyu tribe and previously embroiled in corruption scandals, became deputy president as Ruto’s running mate during the tightly contested 2022 election. However, in recent weeks, he has expressed feelings of being sidelined by the president and has been accused of supporting youth-led anti-government protests that erupted in June over unpopular tax hikes.

Tensions remain high within Kenya’s political sphere, as protests have revealed deep divisions within the ruling party and among the country’s leadership. In response to the situation, Gachagua urged his supporters to remain calm and peaceful, stating, “Let’s preach and maintain peace irrespective of the outcome. Kenya is our country.”