Kenyan MPs to decide on appointee president's indictment

 Kenyan MPs to decide on appointee president's indictment

Kenyan MPs are set to vote on the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua amid a political crisis following his recent clash with President William Ruto. 

( +)

Lawmakers have accused Gachagua of corruption, engaging in ethnically divisive politics, and undermining the government, among other charges. 

The 59-year-old, known as "Riggy G," has dismissed the allegations as "outrageous" and "sheer propaganda," claiming they are part of a scheme to force him out of office. He is expected to appear before Parliament to defend himself prior to the vote, after which any impeachment proceedings would move to the Senate.

Political tensions have escalated in Kenya since June, following deadly protests against unpopular tax hikes that have highlighted a significant rift between President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

( +)

In response to the unrest, which resulted in over 50 fatalities, Ruto dismissed most of his cabinet and appointed members from the main opposition. Several MPs aligned with Gachagua were summoned by police last month for allegedly funding the protests, although no charges were filed.

Ahead of the impending vote, security has been tightened in Nairobi, with police patrols and roadblocks around Parliament. Local media reports indicate that about 20 lawyers have been hired to defend Gachagua against the impeachment motion, which was initiated by 291 MPs—well above the 117 required by the constitution.

( +)

Gachagua has unsuccessfully sought court intervention to halt the proceedings. In a recent televised address, he accused MP Mwengi Mutuse, who drafted the motion, of lying, labeling the claims “shameful and sensational.” The motion outlines 11 grounds for impeachment, including allegations that Gachagua accumulated unexplained wealth of 5.2 billion Kenyan shillings (approximately $40 million) in just two years.

“I am innocent of all these charges,” Gachagua asserted, emphasizing that he has no intention of resigning and will fight the allegations. He also stated that some properties listed in the motion belonged to his late brother and defended the controversial renovations of his official residence.

( +)

As part of the constitutional requirement for public consultation on major decisions, a parliamentary report noted that over 200,000 responses were collected, with 65% supporting Gachagua’s impeachment.

On Sunday, Gachagua appealed to Ruto and MPs for forgiveness regarding any perceived wrongdoing, clarifying that his apology was not an admission of guilt. Although Ruto has yet to publicly address the impeachment motion, he previously stated he would not publicly humiliate his deputy.

( +)

For the motion to succeed, it needs the backing of at least two-thirds of the National Assembly. Given the coalition of the main opposition with Ruto's party, it is likely to pass.

( +)

Gachagua, a wealthy businessman from the influential Mount Kenya region, previously overcame corruption scandals to become Ruto’s running mate in the closely contested August 2022 election. He hails from the Kikuyu community, while Ruto is from the Kalenjin ethnic group, which has a fraught history with the Kikuyu, particularly after the violent aftermath of the 2007 elections.

( +)

If the Senate also approves the motion, Gachagua would become the first deputy president to be impeached under the 2010 constitution; the only previous instance of a vice-president resigning due to a similar motion occurred in 1989 with Josephat Karanja.