Kenya: Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua Impeached By MPs

By Samuel Ouma

Kenyan lawmakers overwhelmingly voted on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, to impeach the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

During the exercise that took place on Tuesday evening, 281 MPs voted in favour of the impeachment motion, 44 voted against it, and 1 abstained.

“A total of 281 members being more than two thirds of the members of the National Assembly, have voted in support of the motion,” said National Assembly speaker Moses Wetangula.

Last week, lawmaker Mwengi Mutuse formally submitted an impeachment motion in Parliament, listing 11 charges against the Deputy President.

The charges against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua include gross violations of the Constitution, undermining the President, and undermining devolution.

He is also accused of illegally amassing wealth, openly assaulting a judge, threatening the interim CEO of KEMSA, inciting ethnic tensions, and displaying disrespect to the President, among other charges.

Before the vote, Gachagua was given a chance to defend himself against the accusations levelled against him. He denied all the charges, saying they were meant to tarnish his reputation.

“I’ve not committed any crime under the Corruption and Economic Crimes Act nor under the Proceeds of Crime and Money Laundering Act. I have not violated the Leadership and Integrity Act. I did not intimidate any state or public officials over tenders and no evidence has been presented to support the allegations,” said Gachagua.

The motion will proceed to the Senate before a final vote is held.