Kenya’s parliament is poised to vote on Tuesday on the potential impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, highlighting a growing rift within the ruling party.
The 59-year-old, who serves as President William Ruto’s deputy, faces accusations from lawmakers of corruption, undermining the government, and engaging in ethnically divisive politics, among other charges.
During a press conference on Monday, Gachagua dismissed the allegations as “outrageous” and “sheer propaganda,” claiming it was a plot to oust him from office.
A businessman and member of the Kikuyu, Kenya’s largest ethnic group, Gachagua has survived past corruption scandals. He became deputy president after running alongside Ruto in a tightly contested election in August 2022.
However, in recent weeks, Gachagua has voiced frustrations about being sidelined by Ruto. He has also faced accusations of supporting youth-led protests against the government that erupted in June. These protests, sparked by unpopular tax increases, have escalated political tensions, revealing divisions between the deputy president and his boss.
Several MPs allied with Gachagua were questioned by police last month on suspicion of financing the protests, though no formal charges have been filed, and no judicial investigation has been opened against him.
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The impeachment motion, which was introduced on October 1, has garnered significant support from lawmakers, with 291 members of parliament backing it well above the 117 required to move it forward.
Lawmakers have cited 11 grounds for impeachment, including claims that Gachagua acquired assets worth 5.2 billion shillings ($40 million) since the last election, despite earning an annual salary of just $93,000. Among his alleged holdings is the iconic Treetops Hotel, where then-Princess Elizabeth was staying when she became queen.
Gachagua insists that his wealth was accumulated through legitimate business ventures and an inheritance from his late brother. He has also warned that his impeachment could lead to unrest among his supporters.
For the impeachment to proceed, two-thirds of the National Assembly must vote in favor. If the motion passes, it will be sent to the Senate for further deliberation. Should Gachagua be removed, he would be the first deputy president to be impeached under Kenya’s 2010 constitution.
AFP
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