Nairobi, Kenya | By Michael Wandati | Kenya’s Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is facing an impeachment trial, just two years after being elected alongside President William Ruto.
The National Assembly voted overwhelmingly in favor of his impeachment, bringing the case to the Senate for a two-day trial that will determine his political future.
Gachagua is facing 11 charges, including corruption, inciting ethnic divisions, and undermining the government, all of which he denies. The tensions between Gachagua and President Ruto have grown in recent months, with Ruto remaining silent on the impeachment proceedings.
The impeachment process began with the Senate abandoning a proposal to establish an 11-member committee for investigation, instead opting for a full-house trial. Gachagua stood before the Senate as the charges were read out, pleading not guilty to each one.
The trial is expected to conclude on Thursday night, with a vote from the Senate. For Gachagua to be removed from office, at least two-thirds of the Senate’s 67 members must approve the motion. Analysts predict his impeachment will likely pass, as senators from both the ruling party and the opposition seem aligned on the matter.
If the impeachment is upheld, Gachagua would be permanently barred from holding public office. He has already signaled his intention to challenge the decision in court, after making multiple unsuccessful attempts to stop the process. So far, 26 court cases have been filed, with judges declining to interfere in the constitutional process.
One of the key charges against Gachagua is the alleged acquisition of assets worth 5.2 billion Kenyan shillings ($40 million) through corrupt means during his time as deputy president. He claims these assets are part of his late brother’s estate.
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The impeachment trial has captivated the nation, dominating public discourse and media coverage. Some Kenyans view the trial as a political distraction from pressing economic issues, such as the rising cost of living and recent protests against unpopular tax hikes.
In June, these protests highlighted a deepening rift between Gachagua and Ruto, as Gachagua was accused of undermining security agencies following controversial remarks blaming the intelligence services.
Gachagua, a businessman from the influential Mount Kenya region, rose quickly in Kenyan politics, going from a first-time Member of Parliament to deputy president in just five years. However, his political career now hangs in the balance as the Senate prepares to deliver its verdict.
