By Felicia Udeji
Kenya’s Senate is set to vote today on the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, following a historic vote in the National Assembly last week. Gachagua faces 11 charges, including corruption, insubordination, and practicing ethnically divisive politics.
The Senate trial began yesterday after Gachagua’s multiple court bids to halt the process failed.
Gachagua, known as “Riggy G,” has denied all charges and claims he’s being treated like a “spent cartridge.” However, if the Senate approves his impeachment, he’ll be automatically removed from office, making him the first deputy president to be ousted since Kenya’s 2010 constitution revision [1).
Possible successors include Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki, Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi, and county governor Anne Waiguru. Gachagua’s chances of survival are slim if opposition members in the 67-seat Senate back the ruling party.
The impeachment process requires a two-thirds vote from senators to succeed. Notably, 282 MPs in the 349-member National Assembly voted to impeach Gachagua, exceeding the required two-thirds majority.
Gachagua, a powerful businessman from Kenya’s largest tribe, the Kikuyu, has weathered previous corruption scandals.
However, recent weeks have seen him complain of being sidelined by President William Ruto, while facing accusations of supporting anti-government protests.
At a media briefing, Gachagua rejected the allegations, calling them “political deceit, conmanship, and betrayal.” He later urged his supporters to remain calm, saying, “Let’s preach and maintain peace irrespective of the outcome. Kenya is our country”.
The impeachment process has been deemed unfair and fast-tracked by Gachagua’s lawyers. Nonetheless, a High Court ruling allowed the Senate hearings to proceed. President Ruto has not publicly commented on the impeachment, but Gachagua believes the process has Ruto’s blessing.