Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been impeached by the National Assembly. Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse preferred 11 charges upon which MPs voted to send President William Ruto’s principal assistant packing.

The accusations include gross violation of the constitution, undermining the President, undermining devolution, irregular acquisition of wealth, publicly attacking a judge, intimidating acting Kemsa CEO, promoting ethnicity, and insubordination to the President among other charges.

A total of 281 MPs voted in favour of the ouster motion against 44 who voted to save his young political career from sudden death. One MP abstained from voting.

Earlier, the DP was given a chance to defend himself against all the accusations leveled against him in the motion.

The besieged DP said he had full trust that the legislators would make the right decision. “Look, reflect and apply your conscience and make the right decision,” he said.

“I have tremendous respect for the National Assembly and your ability and capacity to make the right decision.” The motion will now be transmitted to the Senate. National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula is by law required to inform the Speaker of the Senate of the resolution to impeach the DP within two days.

Speaker of the Senate will upon receipt of the communication convene a meeting of the Senate within seven days to hear the charges against the Deputy President.

The Senate may, by resolution, choose to appoint a special 11-member committee to investigate the matter and report to the Senate within 10 days on whether or not it finds the allegations against the DP to have been substantiated.

The Special Committee may summon the mover of the motion in the National Assembly and other members from the House. Gachagua will also be invited to appear in person or be represented before the special committee during its investigations. Article 145 of the constitution says there shall be no further action on the matter if the allegations are not substantiated and the Deputy President will continue to hold office. But if the allegations are substantiated, the Senate will take a vote on each of the impeachment charges. If at least two-thirds of all the members of the Senate vote to uphold any of the impeachment charges, Gachagua shall cease holding office of the Deputy President and stand impeached. Such a move will technically end the DP’s political career as the Ethics and Integrity Act prohibits him from holding any elective or appointive public position forthwith.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua Impeached by Parliament

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