Nairobi, Kenya, October 8 – In a landmark decision, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been impeached after a resounding 281 Members of the National Assembly voted in favor of his removal from office.
Only 44 MPs opposed the motion, with one abstaining, marking a significant moment in Kenya’s political landscape.
The impeachment motion, brought forward by Kibwezi West Member of Parliament Mwengi Mutuse, centered on ten allegations against Gachagua.
These included accusations of gross violations of the Constitution, promoting ethnic discrimination, undermining national unity, and engaging in corruption, money laundering, and abuse of office.
Mutuse had also cited Gachagua’s alleged interference in county functions and judiciary independence, as well as his divisive public statements.
The Deputy President’s defense team, led by key lawyer Victor Swanya, had vigorously denied the accusations during the impeachment hearings.
Gachagua himself took to the floor earlier in the week, calling the charges “outrageous” and labeling them as “sheer propaganda.”
He insisted that he had been a loyal deputy to President William Ruto and had done nothing to warrant his removal from office.
“This is a man elected by 7.2 million Kenyans; how dare you suggest that he could be removed so easily?” Gachagua said in an emotional statement ahead of the vote. “I will fight to the end.” Despite his staunch defense, the overwhelming support for the motion reflected a strong consensus among lawmakers that Gachagua had crossed constitutional lines.
The final tally saw 281 MPs voting for his impeachment, 44 against, and one abstention, effectively sealing his fate.
