Breaking news- Deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has been impeached!

In a historic move, the Senate has upheld the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua after two days of intense hearings, making him the first deputy president in Kenya’s history to face such a fate. The decision marks a significant moment in the country’s political landscape, reflecting both the gravity of the allegations against Gachagua and the Senate’s commitment to accountability.

Highlights

Gachagua becomes Kenya’s first ever deputy president to be impeached
Several members of parliament voted to support his impeachment
He was accused of unscrupuluous business activities

The Vote and Charges

The Senate’s decision came after a heated debate, where at least 53 senators voted in favor of upholding the first charge against Gachagua. He has been impeached on a total of five serious counts, which include:

Shareholding Violations: Allegations regarding improper shareholding in various businesses.
Undermining the Independence of Judges: Accusations that he has attempted to influence judicial decisions.
Violations of the National Cohesion and Integrity Act: Charges relating to actions that allegedly contravene this important legislation.
Crimes Under the National Cohesion Act: Serious allegations that he has engaged in activities undermining national unity.
Gross Misconduct: Specifically relating to public attacks on the National Intelligence Service (NIS).

The motion for impeachment was initiated by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, who tabled the charges in the National Assembly last week. In a decisive vote, 281 MPs supported the motion, while 44 voted against it. One MP abstained from voting, reflecting a divided political landscape.

Allegations and Context

Mutuse presented 11 charges against Gachagua, ranging from gross constitutional violations to undermining President William Ruto’s authority. Other serious accusations included:

Intimidation of the acting CEO of Kemsa
Promoting ethnic divisions
Irregular acquisition of wealth
Publicly attacking a sitting judge
Insubordination to the President

These charges underscored the gravity of the situation, as they highlighted concerns not only about Gachagua’s conduct but also about the integrity of Kenya’s political and legal institutions.

A Controversial Hearing

The impeachment hearings were marked by controversy and drama. Before the Senate’s final vote, Gachagua’s legal team staged a walkout in protest after the Senate voted against extending the proceedings to Saturday. The absence of the Deputy President during this crucial moment added to the tension surrounding the hearings.

Gachagua had been present at the proceedings since they began on Wednesday, but his health took a turn for the worse.

Gachagua hospitalized

His lead lawyer, Paul Muite, revealed that Gachagua was admitted to Karen Hospital due to severe chest pains. “The sad reality is that the Deputy President has fallen ill and is currently in hospital,” Muite stated. He emphasized that due to Gachagua’s condition, he was unable to appear in person at the Senate, which he had attended for the hearings up until that point.

“I have been in contact with doctors at Karen Hospital, who are looking after the Deputy President. Because of his condition, I was not able to talk to him directly,” Muite explained. He noted that Gachagua was suffering from intense chest pains, which ultimately affected his participation in the impeachment process.

The impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua marks a pivotal moment in Kenya’s political history, raising questions about governance, accountability, and the rule of law. As the first deputy president to be impeached, Gachagua’s situation is likely to have far-reaching implications for the political landscape and for President William Ruto’s administration.

The unfolding events will undoubtedly be watched closely by both supporters and critics, as the nation grapples with the consequences of this unprecedented decision.

The advocate who grilled the motion against Gachagua- who is Elisha Ongoya?