Kenya opens impeachment hearings to remove deputy president
The move against Rigathi Gachagua comes just two years after he was elected
16 October 2024 - 15:55
byEdwin Okoth and Sonia Rao
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Kenya's deputy president Rigathi Gachagua in Nairobi, Kenya, July 9 2024. Picture: REUTERS/THOMAS MUKOYA
Nairobi — Kenya’s Senate began an impeachment hearing against deputy president Rigathi Gachagua on Wednesday, hours after a court said the proceedings were constitutional.
The hearing clears the way for a vote on his dismissal this week.
Kenya’s National Assembly voted on Tuesday last week to impeach Gachagua on 11 charges, which included corruption, undermining the government and stirring ethnic hatred. Gachagua has denied all charges.
Gachagua has said the impeachment motion, backed by opposition MPs and allies of President William Ruto, was based on “falsehoods that constituted a political lynching”, according to court documents.
As the Senate opened proceedings on Wednesday, Gachagua denied the 11 charges read out by clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye.
“Not guilty,” Gachagua said in response to each one.
Gachagua had launched a legal challenge against the impeachment proceedings in the high court, but judge Erick Ogolla said the process could go ahead.
“At this stage, the process is a lawful, constitutional process, and the Senate will conduct a trial where all the issues being raised before the court will be raised and determined at the moment,” the judge said in court.
“The application at this stage is premature and anticipatory,” he said, referring to Gachagua’s legal challenge.
The deputy president was Ruto’s running mate in their 2022 election win, helping secure vital votes from the populous central Kenya region. But they have since fallen out and political alliances have shifted.
Ruto fired most of his cabinet and appointed members of the opposition to what he called a unity government after nationwide protests against tax increases in which more than 50 people were killed.
MPs seeking Gachagua’s removal are expected to present their case to the senators on Wednesday.
Gachagua is expected to defend himself on Thursday before the vote. A two-thirds majority would be needed to dismiss him.
The court also said it would decide on October 29 whether Ruto could nominate a new deputy if Gachagua is dismissed.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Kenya opens impeachment hearings to remove deputy president
The move against Rigathi Gachagua comes just two years after he was elected
Nairobi — Kenya’s Senate began an impeachment hearing against deputy president Rigathi Gachagua on Wednesday, hours after a court said the proceedings were constitutional.
The hearing clears the way for a vote on his dismissal this week.
Kenya’s National Assembly voted on Tuesday last week to impeach Gachagua on 11 charges, which included corruption, undermining the government and stirring ethnic hatred. Gachagua has denied all charges.
Gachagua has said the impeachment motion, backed by opposition MPs and allies of President William Ruto, was based on “falsehoods that constituted a political lynching”, according to court documents.
As the Senate opened proceedings on Wednesday, Gachagua denied the 11 charges read out by clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye.
“Not guilty,” Gachagua said in response to each one.
Gachagua had launched a legal challenge against the impeachment proceedings in the high court, but judge Erick Ogolla said the process could go ahead.
“At this stage, the process is a lawful, constitutional process, and the Senate will conduct a trial where all the issues being raised before the court will be raised and determined at the moment,” the judge said in court.
“The application at this stage is premature and anticipatory,” he said, referring to Gachagua’s legal challenge.
The deputy president was Ruto’s running mate in their 2022 election win, helping secure vital votes from the populous central Kenya region. But they have since fallen out and political alliances have shifted.
Ruto fired most of his cabinet and appointed members of the opposition to what he called a unity government after nationwide protests against tax increases in which more than 50 people were killed.
MPs seeking Gachagua’s removal are expected to present their case to the senators on Wednesday.
Gachagua is expected to defend himself on Thursday before the vote. A two-thirds majority would be needed to dismiss him.
The court also said it would decide on October 29 whether Ruto could nominate a new deputy if Gachagua is dismissed.
Reuters
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