Kenya’s parliament has taken the final step toward potentially removing Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua from office. Last week, an overwhelming majority in the National Assembly approved his impeachment, paving the way for a two-day trial in the Senate that will decide his fate.
Gachagua, who faces 11 charges including corruption, inciting ethnic divisions, and undermining the government, has denied all allegations. The trial follows a public fallout with President William Ruto, who has remained notably silent on the issue.
Initially, the Senate planned to form an 11-member committee to investigate the charges, but it abandoned this process, opting for a full house trial instead. Proceedings have commenced, with the charges being read and opening statements delivered by both sides.
Political analysts predict that Gachagua’s impeachment will likely be upheld. Senators from the ruling party are expected to gain support from the main opposition, as seen during the lower house vote.
Gachagua and his witnesses will testify for three hours, followed by a two-hour cross-examination. The trial will resume on Thursday with evidence and witnesses from Gachagua’s defense. In the evening, the Senate will debate the motion for approximately two hours before voting, which is scheduled for 20:30 local time. If necessary, the process could extend into Friday—the final day legally allowed.
For Gachagua to be ousted, two-thirds of the 67 Senate members must approve the motion. If successful, he will be barred from ever holding public office again. However, Gachagua is expected to challenge the impeachment in court, having already made 26 unsuccessful attempts to halt the process.
On Tuesday, a judge ruled that the courts would not intervene, allowing the Senate to carry out its constitutional mandate. A similar request was rejected by a three-judge bench on Wednesday before the proceedings began.
Among the grounds for impeachment is an allegation that Gachagua acquired assets worth 5.2 billion Kenyan shillings ($40 million) through corrupt means within two years of becoming deputy president. Gachagua has defended himself, claiming that most of the properties were inherited from his late brother.
A wealthy businessman from Kenya’s vote-rich Mount Kenya region, Gachagua’s political rise has been meteoric. In just five years, he went from being a first-time MP to the deputy president, after being chosen as William Ruto’s running mate in the 2022 elections. At the time, Gachagua was battling corruption allegations, which were dropped after he assumed office.
His impeachment trial has captivated the nation, drawing attention away from Kenya’s economic struggles. In June, citizens took to the streets in deadly protests against tax hikes, highlighting the growing rift between Ruto and Gachagua. Gachagua has also been accused of undermining security agencies, following comments he made that blamed the intelligence service for the unrest.
