Embattled Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has officially been impeached following a decisive vote in the Kenyan Senate. On Wednesday, October 16, 53 senators voted in favor of his removal from office, while 13 opposed the motion. The vote was prompted by allegations of gross violations of the Constitution.
“The Senate has resolved to remove from office by impeachment, Rigathi Gachagua, the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya. Accordingly, he ceases to hold office,” announced Senate Speaker, Amason Kingi.
The impeachment required the support of at least two-thirds of the Senate to pass. In a dramatic outcome, the necessary majority was achieved resulting in Gachagua’s dismissal as Deputy President. Notably, the Constitution allows senators to vote on specific grounds, meaning only one accusation needed to be upheld to secure the impeachment.
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The Senate earlier voted to continue the impeachment proceedings despite a plea from Gachagua’s legal team to postpone the hearing until October 22. Lead counsel Paul Muite informed the Senate that the Deputy President had fallen ill during the session, suffering from chest pains that required him to be hospitalized at Karen Hospital.
Muite’s request for adjournment was denied, prompting Gachagua’s legal team to walk out, citing a lack of authorization to proceed in their client’s absence.
Following the walkout, the Senate allowed the National Assembly’s legal representatives to deliver their closing arguments. The representatives, led by Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo, argued that Gachagua had violated the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) Act by making divisive statements about sharing positions within a coalition, not the government.
“To try and mislead this House makes it an aggravation of a rule, and I invite you, Mr. Speaker, to find a breach,” Amollo stated during the presentation.
The road to kicking out Gachagua began following the introduction of a Special Motion by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse.It outlined 11 charges against the Deputy President, including gross violation of the Constitution, undermining the President and the Cabinet, undermining Devolution, and compromising judicial independence by publicly attacking a judge.
What Next For Rigathi Gachagua?
The next steps following Gachagua’s impeachment remain uncertain. He becomes Kenya’s first ever deputy President to be removed from office through impeachment.
