Kenya’s parliament has voted to impeach Vice-President Rigathi Gachagua on charges of corruption and inciting ethnic divisions. In a session held on Tuesday, Speaker Moses Wetang’ula announced that 281 members of parliament supported the impeachment, exceeding the required two-thirds majority.
Gachagua, who has denied the charges, played a key role in securing central Kenya’s votes for President William Ruto during the 2022 elections. However, tensions between Gachagua and Ruto have escalated in recent months, with reports suggesting that Gachagua was being sidelined politically. The vice president’s impeachment comes after months of unrest in the country, including protests against tax hikes earlier in the year, during which more than 50 people were killed.
Ahead of the vote, Gachagua urged lawmakers to “search your conscience” before casting their ballots. Despite his plea, the parliament’s majority leader, Kimani Ichung’wah, led a strong call for Gachagua’s removal, accusing him of violating multiple constitutional provisions and being a threat to Kenya’s national unity.
The charges against Gachagua include the accumulation of unexplained wealth and fostering ethnic division. The vice president has firmly denied the allegations, maintaining his innocence and vowing to fight the proceedings. Gachagua has also filed a court petition to halt the impeachment process, which was initiated by members of President Ruto’s coalition.
The senate will now review the charges, with the possibility of forming a special committee to investigate further. If two-thirds of the senate vote to uphold the impeachment, Gachagua will be removed from office. The political climate remains tense as the country awaits the outcome of the senate’s decision, while President Ruto has yet to comment on the matter.
A poll by TIFA Research revealed that public opinion on the impeachment is divided, with 41% of Kenyans supporting the move and 38% opposing it.
