On Tuesday, Kenya’s parliament was scheduled to cast votes regarding the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, unfolding a political saga that has revealed a division within the ruling party.
The 59-year-old Gachagua, who serves alongside President William Ruto, has faced accusations of corruption, destabilizing the government, and engaging in politics that exacerbate ethnic tensions, among various other allegations.
During a press conference held on Monday, Gachagua dismissed these claims as “outrageous” and “sheer propaganda,” asserting that they were part of a plot to force him out of his position.
Gachagua, a businessman from Kenya’s largest ethnic group, the Kikuyu, has previously navigated through corruption controversies to assume the role of deputy leader, partnering with Ruto in a tightly contested election in August 2022.
In the past few weeks, he has expressed frustration about being overlooked by his superior and has faced allegations of backing youth-led protests against the government that began in June.
Political tensions have escalated following the occasionally violent demonstrations sparked by unpopular tax increases, highlighting rifts between Gachagua and Ruto.
Last month, multiple MPs associated with Gachagua were called in by police, accused of financing the protests.
Prosecutors have not filed any official charges, nor has a court investigation been initiated against Gachagua.
However, legislators have cited 11 reasons for impeachment, including claims that he accumulated assets totaling 5.2 billion shillings ($40 million) since the previous election, despite earning an annual salary of only $93,000.
Included among these assets is Kenya’s famous Treetops Hotel, where the then-Princess Elizabeth of Britain was residing when she ascended to the throne.
Gachagua asserts that his wealth is solely the result of legitimate business transactions and an inheritance from his deceased brother.
He has cautioned that his ousting would incite dissatisfaction among his supporters.
On October 1, Kenyan legislators began the impeachment proceedings, with 291 parliament members endorsing the motion, significantly exceeding the required minimum of 117.
For the motion to succeed on Tuesday, it needs the approval of two-thirds of the National Assembly, which is the lower house. It would then be forwarded to the Senate, the upper house.
If Gachagua were to be impeached, he would be the first deputy president in Kenya to be ousted through this process since it was incorporated into the country’s amended constitution in 2010.
AFP
