Kenyan Senators vote to oust Deputy President Gachagua despite his absence at impeachment trial
In a historic political development, Kenyan senators have voted to remove Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua from office, despite his absence at the impeachment trial.
Gachagua, commonly known as “Riggy G,” did not testify after his lawyer reported that he had been taken to The Karen Hospital, suffering from chest pains. The Senate, however, proceeded with the trial in his absence.
Gachagua had been expected to appear in the Senate to defend himself after pleading not guilty to 11 charges the previous day.
His lawyer requested a postponement, citing Gachagua’s illness, but senators chose to move forward with the proceedings, leading the defense team to walk out in protest.
The refusal to delay the trial until Saturday, the latest legally allowed date, demonstrated the Senate’s resolve to push forward with the impeachment.
This decision follows last week’s overwhelming vote by MPs in the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, to impeach Gachagua, paving the way for his two-day trial in the Senate.
Gachagua, a wealthy businessman from the central Mount Kenya region, described the impeachment as a “political lynching,” especially as his relationship with President William Ruto had deteriorated in recent months.
On Friday morning, President Ruto nominated Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki to replace Gachagua as deputy president.
Kindiki, a close ally of Ruto, previously served as the president’s lawyer during his trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC), which was dismissed due to lack of evidence.
By Thursday evening, the Senate had upheld five of the charges against Gachagua, including inciting ethnic divisions and violating his oath of office, with two-thirds of the 67 senators voting in favor of his removal.
This decision permanently disqualifies Gachagua from holding public office and revokes any future retirement benefits. He was, however, acquitted of six charges, including corruption and money laundering.
Gachagua’s removal marks the culmination of months of internal strife within the government, cementing Ruto’s control.
The fallout between the president and his deputy began in June, when Gachagua publicly blamed the head of Kenya’s intelligence agency for failing to properly brief Ruto on the extent of mass protests against controversial tax hikes.
Ruto, who had been forced to withdraw the tax increases, responded by reshuffling his cabinet and bringing opposition figures into his administration.
At the start of the trial, Gachagua’s lawyer, Elisha Ongoya, called the allegations “either false, ridiculous, or embarrassing.” Before the vote, Gachagua had vowed to challenge the decision if the impeachment succeeded.
According to Reuters, a doctor confirmed that the 59-year-old Gachagua was stable and undergoing tests after being admitted to the hospital with heart trouble.
President Ruto has yet to comment publicly on the impeachment, though he formally informed parliament on Friday of Kindiki’s nomination.
The two were elected on a joint ticket two years ago, with Gachagua helping Ruto secure support in Mount Kenya, the heartland of the Kikuyu people, Kenya’s largest voting bloc.
Ruto’s own rise to the presidency came after a similar alliance with former President Uhuru Kenyatta, also a Kikuyu, though their relationship soured when Kenyatta refused to back Ruto’s 2022 presidential bid.
Both Ruto and Kenyatta had previously faced trial at the ICC for their roles in post-election violence following the 2007 election, which left 1,200 people dead.
The charges against Kenyatta were dropped in 2014, and Ruto’s case was dismissed in 2016 due to insufficient evidence and accusations of political interference.
Kindiki, also from the Mount Kenya region, has been a top contender to replace Gachagua.
His nomination requires parliamentary approval, but with Ruto commanding a majority in both houses and the backing of the opposition, the process is expected to proceed smoothly.
Source-BBC
