A fake resignation letter claiming that Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has stepped down has gone viral, but his team firmly denies the allegations.
The false letter which surfaced on social media claimed that Gachagua was resigning “effective immediately” due to personal reasons and concerns about his ongoing impeachment process. The letter, addressed to “The People of Kenya,” also stated, “I believe it is in the best interest of both my conscience and the people I serve.”
However, close sources from both President William Ruto’s office and the Deputy President’s office have confirmed that these claims are entirely false. The fake document lacks the official signature of the Deputy President and the necessary stamps from his office, which discredits its legitimacy.
Rigathi Gachagua’s Team Denies Resignation Rumors
The Deputy President’s team was quick to refute the resignation claims, saying that any formal resignation must be submitted to the President of Kenya, complete with the proper signatures and seals.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is currently facing an impeachment process in Parliament, but he remains focused on his legal battle to defend his position. On October 9, his 20-member legal team, led by Paul Muite, filed motions to block the impeachment. Muite requested that the case be heard by a panel of three judges, emphasizing the significance of the people’s sovereignty as outlined in Kenya’s Constitution.
Gachagua’s Impeachment Proceedings
This legal defence comes at a critical time for the Deputy President, as political tensions escalate within the ruling coalition. The court will decide on Friday, October 11, whether to assign a judicial panel to the case, a crucial moment in Gachagua’s fight to hold onto his position. His legal team remains hopeful that Chief Justice Martha Koome will approve the request.
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The upcoming Senate hearings, where Gachagua will face 11 charges related to his role, could be a turning point in the political landscape of Kenya. If the Senate upholds even one of the charges, Gachagua could be impeached, marking a significant political shift for the nation.
The pressure has mounted since October 8, when a staggering 282 MPs from both President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) voted in favor of his impeachment. Only 44 MPs defended Gachagua in the National Assembly, signaling a difficult path ahead in the Senate.
If impeached, Gachagua risks losing substantial retirement benefits under Kenya’s Retirement Benefits Act. This includes an 80 per cent pension based on his last salary, security privileges, and medical insurance. However, officials found guilty of gross misconduct, or constitutional violations, will forfeit such benefits.
On the other hand, if Gachagua had resigned voluntarily before the impeachment, he could have secured a lump sum equivalent to 12 months of his last salary, along with diplomatic passports and other perks for both him and his spouse.
