In a shocking political development, Kenya’s National Assembly has voted to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, with 281 MPs supporting the motion in a late-night session on October 8, 2024. The vote, which easily surpassed the required two-thirds majority of 233 votes, marks a significant turn of events in Kenyan politics, making Gachagua the first deputy president in the nation’s history to face impeachment under the 2010 Constitution.
The motion was initiated by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, who outlined 11 charges against Gachagua, ranging from gross violations of the Constitution to corruption and ethnic incitement. Mutuse provided extensive evidence, including video clips and records, to support his claims. One of the key charges was Gachagua’s infamous statement in February 2023, where he likened the government to a company with some Kenyans as “majority shareholders” while others were excluded—a remark that Mutuse argued promoted divisive ethnic politics and threatened national unity​(Capital News)​(Citizen Digital).
In addition to accusations of ethnic division, Gachagua faced allegations of corruption and abuse of office. He was accused of amassing unexplained wealth, with assets worth KSh 5.2 billion, allegedly acquired through illicit means. The MP claimed Gachagua used 22 companies, some linked to his family, to enrich himself via conflicts of interest​(Tuko.co.ke – Kenya news.). Furthermore, Gachagua was charged with undermining President William Ruto by making public statements that contradicted government policy, an action that reportedly led to discord within the Cabinet​(Tuko.co.ke – Kenya news.).
Despite the overwhelming vote in favor of his impeachment, Gachagua remains defiant. In a press conference, he dismissed the charges as baseless, asserting that he had done nothing wrong. Gachagua emphasized his election by over 7 million Kenyans and vowed to fight the impeachment process to the end. He indicated his intention to defend himself in the Senate, which is set to review the charges within seven days​(Citizen Digital).
This impeachment is the culmination of months of political tension, which began with criticisms of Gachagua’s divisive rhetoric and governance style. The impeachment process now moves to the Senate, where a committee will be convened to evaluate the charges against him. Should the Senate uphold the National Assembly’s decision, Gachagua will be permanently removed from office​(Capital News).
The impeachment has far-reaching political implications, especially for President William Ruto’s administration. Some analysts speculate that the removal of Gachagua could lead to shifts in political alliances as Ruto’s camp may face internal divisions. In the meantime, the nation waits to see how the Senate will handle the matter and what Gachagua’s next steps will be in the coming days.
