Kenya’s Senate to Vote on Impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua

The Senate of Kenya is preparing to vote on the potential removal of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua following the second day of his impeachment trial. Gachagua is currently defending himself before lawmakers, with a two-thirds majority needed to oust him.

Facing 11 charges—including corruption, inciting ethnic divisions, and undermining government—Gachagua pleaded not guilty to each accusation as the trial commenced on Wednesday.

Last week, a significant majority of Members of Parliament in the National Assembly voted in favor of his impeachment, paving the way for the Senate trial. Tensions have arisen between Gachagua and President William Ruto, just two years after their election on a joint ticket. The discord began in June amid widespread protests over unpopular tax increases.

Mwengi Mutuse, the lawmaker who initiated the impeachment motion, testified in the Senate on Wednesday, accusing Gachagua of constitutional violations and outlining the grounds for impeachment. He characterized Gachagua’s alleged actions as “extraordinary” wrongdoing, referencing remarks made by the deputy president that likened the government to a shareholding company and suggested that only those who supported the administration would receive development benefits.

Mutuse also alleged that Gachagua amassed significant wealth through corrupt practices, claiming the deputy president had acquired assets worth 5.2 billion Kenyan shillings ($40 million; £31 million) in the two years since assuming office. Gachagua contends that most of the questioned properties are part of his late brother’s estate.

During cross-examination, Gachagua’s defense team, led by lawyer Elisha Ongoya, challenged Mutuse’s accusations, labeling them as “either false, ridiculous or embarrassing.” A clip of President Ruto addressing a rally, where he referred to residents of Murang’a as “major shareholders” of the government, was played in the Senate, further complicating the narrative against Gachagua.

The trial, which extended late into the night, will continue Thursday morning, with Gachagua as the sole witness for his defense. Senators are expected to debate the motion for approximately two hours before casting their votes in the evening.

Gachagua, a prominent businessman from the politically influential Mount Kenya region, quickly ascended from first-time MP to deputy president after Ruto selected him as his running mate in the August 2022 election. His impeachment trial has captivated public and media attention in Kenya, with many anticipating that the vote could result in his removal, especially if opposition members align with the ruling coalition, as they did in the National Assembly.

Should the Senate vote in favor of impeachment, Gachagua is expected to challenge the decision. Meanwhile, speculation has emerged in Kenyan media regarding potential successors, with names of two serving governors and two ministers circulating.