Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been removed from office marking the first impeachment of a deputy president under the country’s 2010 constitution.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi announced that “senators have this night voted to impeach the deputy president of the Republic of Kenya.
“Senators found him guilty on five out of 11 grounds brought against him by the National Assembly. Effectively, Gachagua ceases to hold office”.
On Friday, President William Ruto nominated Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki as the new deputy president, submitting the name to the National Assembly for approval.
The Senate session, which extended into Thursday midnight, required only one of the charges to be upheld for the impeachment to succeed.
Ultimately, 53 out of 66 senators voted to oust 59-year-old Gachagua, concluding a two-week process that attracted the attention of the whole nation.
Gachagua faced allegations ranging from corruption and insubordination to engaging in ethnically divisive politics, money laundering, undermining government initiatives and intimidating public officials.
Despite his legal team’s defence, Gachagua’s position became untenable when the Senate opted to proceed with hearings in his absence after he was reportedly hospitalised with “intense chest pains” on Thursday afternoon.
Kingi proposed delaying the hearing until Saturday, but the Senate voted against the motion, with the majority choosing to continue without Gachagua present.
“The nays have it,” Kingi declared, prompting Gachagua’s defence team to walk out in protest.
The impeachment came two years after Ruto and Gachagua were elected to office, during which time the two leaders had enjoyed a close political alliance that united their respective communities.
Political reactions to the impeachment have been divided.
Gachagua’s allies decried the process as a “witchhunt,” with some suggesting the outcome was predetermined.
“If you look at the grounds, they were very weak,” said Senator John Methu. “In my life as a senator, I have never seen such a weak case. Why was there a hurry to impeach him when he is sick? But we will continue the fight.”
On the other hand, some ordinary Kenyans expressed relief at the impeachment.
Kelvin Koech said: “I urge the president to choose a deputy president who will represent all citizens across the nation. Gachagua only advocated for his Mount Kenya region.”
Policy analyst, Paul Mugambi, said that while the impeachment seeks to instill integrity among public officials, it will shake Kenya’s political scene in the coming years, with realignments expected.
