Kenyan Senate begins debate on impeachment of Vice President Rigathi Gachagua
Background to the impeachment proceedings
Kenya’s Senate on Wednesday began considering the impeachment of Vice President Rigathi Gachagua after a court rejected its attempt to block the process. The move follows a landslide vote by the National Assembly in favor of impeachment, with the vice president accused of several serious misconducts, including insubordination and embezzlement.
The charges against Gachagua
Rigathi Gachagua, 59, has strongly denied the charges against him. The deputy president is accused of threatening a judge and failing to support President William Ruto in the face of anti-government protests that erupted in June and July, demanding the head of state’s resignation. The crackdown on the protests left more than 60 people dead. Mr Gachagua, who remains in office for now, has criticised the speed of his impeachment, but his appeals to stop the impeachment proceedings in the upper house have failed.
How the process unfolds in the Senate
The Senate began preliminary debates on October 9 and is expected to make a decision Thursday evening. For impeachment to be validated, 45 of the 68 senators must vote in favor of the motion. Unlike the National Assembly, which voted on all the charges, senators will consider each charge separately. The vice president, who is present during the debates, will have the opportunity to present his defense, contradict the evidence and make statements before the final decision.
A major political issue for Kenya
If the impeachment motion passes, Rigathi Gachagua would become the first deputy president to be removed from office under the 2010 constitution. Tensions between Mr Gachagua and President Ruto, who had chosen Gachagua as his running mate for the 2022 presidential election, have risen sharply in recent months. Mr Gachagua, an influential member of the Kikuyu ethnic group, was a key asset to Ruto in his victory over Raila Odinga. However, their relationship has deteriorated, particularly after the anti-government protests in the summer.
Conclusion
The Kenyan Senate is in the midst of a historic impeachment debate over Vice President Rigathi Gachagua. As the process unfolds, Gachagua may continue his legal fight, hoping the courts will protect his constitutional rights. This is a crucial moment for Kenya’s political future, where tensions between the highest officials of the state threaten to transform the political landscape.
