Members of the Kenyan Parliament have commenced the impeachment process against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who is accused of complicity in June’s violent anti-government protests, engaging in corrupt practices, undermining the government, and fostering ethnically divisive politics.
Gachagua has dismissed these allegations.
This political move marks a significant escalation in the rift between Gachagua and President William Ruto.
On Tuesday, the National Assembly Speaker greenlit the impeachment proceedings after a motion garnered support from 291 MPs, surpassing the 117 MPs required to initiate the process.
The impeachment is expected to progress smoothly through both houses of Parliament, particularly after the main opposition allied with Ruto’s party in the wake of recent protests. However, no specific date for the impeachment vote has been set.
Previous attempts to halt the impeachment through legal avenues have been unsuccessful. The ongoing power struggle has raised concerns over government instability amid a severe economic crisis in Kenya.
Ruto selected Gachagua as his running mate in the 2022 elections, which resulted in a contentious victory over former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Gachagua, hailing from the influential Mount Kenya region, played a crucial role in garnering support for Ruto. Nevertheless, with members of Odinga’s party aligning with the government following youth-led protests that pressured Ruto to abandon tax hikes, Gachagua’s position appears increasingly precarious.
Despite the mounting pressure, Gachagua remains defiant, asserting his support from constituents in central Kenya. “Two hundred legislators cannot overturn the will of the people,” he stated. For the impeachment motion to succeed, it requires backing from at least two-thirds of the National Assembly and Senate, excluding nominated members.
Supporters of the motion express confidence in its passage. Odinga, who lost the presidential race, finds himself once again near the center of political power. Gachagua, however, has made it clear he intends to resist any political maneuvers against him. “The president can ask MPs to stop. So, if it continues, he’s in it,” he told reporters prior to Tuesday’s parliamentary session.
While Ruto has previously promised not to subject Gachagua to what he described as “political persecution,” the visible schism between the two leaders has become increasingly pronounced in recent months.
