DP Rigathi Gachagua Impeached

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been officially removed from office after a majority of the senators voted to impeach him.

The Kenyan Senate's decision to remove Gachagua from office marks a historic first for the nation, as no deputy president has ever faced such a fate through the impeachment process. The Senate's vote, which saw 53 lawmakers in favour and 13 against, met the constitutional requirement of a two-thirds majority for impeachment. The grounds for Gachagua's removal were multifaceted, with accusations ranging from gross violation of the Constitution to undermining devolution.

Interestingly, while the specific charge of undermining devolution as outlined in the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution failed to garner sufficient support, with 45 senators opposing and only 19 supporting, the overall impeachment still proceeded based on other grounds. The impeachment trial was not without its share of drama and controversy. Gachagua's legal team attempted to delay proceedings, citing the deputy president's sudden hospitalization due to chest pains. However, the Senate dismissed this plea for adjournment, leading to a walkout by Gachagua's lawyers who claimed they lacked their client's permission to continue representation.

This turn of events allowed the National Assembly's representatives to present their closing arguments uncontested. The impeachment process originated in the National Assembly, where an overwhelming majority of 282 MPs voted in favour of the motion on October 8. The charges brought against Gachagua were extensive, including allegations of undermining the President and irregular acquisition of wealth. As the proceedings moved to the Senate, new and explosive claims emerged, further complicating Gachagua's defence.

One particularly damning accusation suggested that Gachagua had manipulated his ailing brother into signing a will on his deathbed. This political upheaval comes in the wake of a reported fallout between Gachagua and President William Ruto, who has notably remained silent on the matter.