In a stunning turn of events that has left the nation reeling, Kenya’s senate voted to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua late Thursday night while he was hospitalized for chest pains. The unprecedented move, which upheld five out of eleven charges against Gachagua, marks the first time in Kenya’s history that a sitting deputy president has been removed from office through impeachment.
Senate Upholds Corruption and Misconduct Charges
The charges against Gachagua, brought forth in an impeachment motion tabled by legislator Mwengi Mutuse, included allegations of corruption, inflaming ethnic tensions, and undermining the authority of the president and cabinet. Despite Gachagua’s vehement denials and attempts to halt the proceedings through the courts, the impeachment motion moved forward, culminating in the historic senate vote.
Hospitalization Throws Senate Into Confusion
The drama reached a fever pitch on Thursday afternoon when, moments before Gachagua was set to appear for cross-examination, his legal team announced that they were unable to locate him. Shortly thereafter, his lawyer, Paul Muite, revealed that the deputy president had been hospitalized with “intense chest pains” and required “complete rest.”
“The sad reality is that the deputy president of the Republic of Kenya has been taken sick, very sick, and he is in hospital,” Muite told the senate, throwing the proceedings into temporary disarray.
Despite Muite’s plea for a postponement, the senate speaker, Amason Kingi, ordered the impeachment to move forward, noting the time-sensitive nature of the proceedings. After a brief recess, during which Gachagua’s medical status was confirmed, the senate reconvened and ultimately voted to remove him from office close to midnight.
Rift Between President and Deputy Widens
The impeachment is likely to further strain the already tense relationship between Gachagua and President William Ruto. According to sources close to the administration, Ruto’s allies have long accused the deputy president of disloyalty and undermining the president’s authority through controversial public statements.
“At the national assembly last week, Gachagua said he believed the impeachment proceedings had the president’s approval,” a high-ranking government official revealed on condition of anonymity.
Nation Grapples with Political Turmoil
The impeachment comes amid a period of significant political and social unrest in Kenya. In June, violent protests erupted following the introduction of a controversial tax bill, leading to dozens of deaths and disappearances over the course of nearly two months. The upheaval has left many Kenyans grappling with uncertainty and fear for the nation’s future.
As the dust settles on this unprecedented political event, all eyes are now on President Ruto as he moves to nominate a replacement for Gachagua. On Friday morning, Ruto put forth Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki, a former frontrunner for the deputy president position, as his choice to fill the vacancy. However, a court has temporarily suspended the nomination process until October 24, following a petition from Gachagua’s legal team claiming that his removal was unjust.
The coming days and weeks will be crucial in determining the path forward for Kenya’s government and its people. As the nation navigates this uncharted territory, many are left wondering what lasting impact the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua will have on the country’s political landscape and its quest for stability and progress.
