In a historic decision, the Kenyan Senate has voted to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, marking the first time a deputy president has been removed from office since the country's 2010 constitutional reforms.
The Senate session, held on Thursday, October 17, found Gachagua guilty on five out of 11 charges, including corruption, money laundering, insubordination, ethnic divisiveness, and undermining the government. According to the law, a conviction on any single charge was sufficient for his removal.
Gachagua’s impeachment followed a similar vote in the National Assembly the previous week, where lawmakers overwhelmingly supported his removal. The 59-year-old deputy president, who has denied all accusations, was unable to testify in his defense due to being hospitalized with severe chest pains. Despite his absence, the Senate proceeded with the vote.
Earlier in the day, the Senate session faced disruption when Gachagua’s lawyer, Paul Muite, requested a postponement, citing the deputy president's critical health condition. Muite urged for a brief delay, stating, “The sad reality is that the deputy president of the Republic of Kenya has been taken seriously ill.” However, the motion to adjourn until Saturday was rejected, leading Gachagua's legal team to walk out in protest.
Kenyan President William Ruto, who has reportedly had a strained relationship with Gachagua in recent months, has yet to comment on the impeachment.
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