Kenya’s Senate Impeaches Deputy President Gachagua

Kenya’s Senate impeaches Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, stirring political crisis and uncertainty amid rising tensions and public discontent with Ruto’s government.

Kenya’s Senate has voted to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, marking an unprecedented move that threatens to stir a political crisis in the country, widely regarded as a stable democracy in a volatile region. 

Gachagua’s impeachment comes only months after nationwide protests erupted over a finance bill, which many feared would raise the cost of living dramatically.

In the wake of this period of political and economic uncertainty, analysts suggest the impeachment presents President William Ruto with an opportunity to consolidate power and distance himself from a once-powerful ally he now views as a liability.

However, this action could exacerbate ethnic tensions among Kenya’s ruling elite. Both Ruto and Gachagua hail from the Kalenjin and Kikuyu communities, respectively—groups that have long shared power in Kenya’s post-independence era. 

“The impeachment will sow considerable uncertainty, as Gachagua’s substantial constituency views his ouster as a betrayal and will seek to ensure Ruto pays a political price,” said Murithi Mutiga, Africa Program Director at the International Crisis Group.

For many Kenyans, the impeachment proceedings appeared politically motivated, diverting attention from the nation’s deeper issues like corruption, rising debt, and unemployment.

 While Ruto remained silent throughout the dramatic trial, political observers believe the impeachment would not have progressed without his endorsement, given his ruling coalition’s overwhelming majority in both houses of Parliament.”This is a bold move by Ruto, but it’s a risky one,” observed Mr. Mutiga. 

As the impeachment draws to a close, observers believe public discontent with Ruto’s government is likely to intensify. Demonstrations have already flared at universities, schools, and even Nairobi’s main international airport. Some protestors have called for Ruto’s own impeachment.

“The deputy president is elected alongside the president, not appointed,” stated George Towett Diano, a human rights activist who was abducted during recent protests. “They entered the office together, so they should exit together.”

On Thursday, the Senate voted to impeach Gachagua on five of the 11 charges against him, which included corruption, money laundering, and undermining Kenya’s judicial and intelligence institutions. The National Assembly had also voted overwhelmingly for a similar motion earlier.

Gachagua, who denied all accusations, stated he was being treated like a “spent cartridge.”

 He did not testify in the Senate, with his lawyer attributing his absence to chest pains that required hospitalization. Nevertheless, the Senate continued with the proceedings, leading Gachagua’s defense team to exit in protest. After the vote, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi declared, “Mr. Gachagua now ceases to hold office.”

In a swift move on Friday morning, President Ruto nominated Kithure Kindiki, the current interior minister, as the new deputy president. However, Kindiki’s nomination sparked controversy, with activists accusing him of defending the police’s excessive use of force during protests earlier this year.

 Human rights groups claim at least 60 people were killed and hundreds more were arrested, tortured, or abducted during the anti-government demonstrations. While the National Assembly approved Kindiki’s nomination, a High Court judge temporarily blocked his appointment until October 24, pending a legal case against Gachagua’s impeachment.

Gachagua’s rise to the deputy presidency in 2022 was fueled by his business acumen, connections, and ability to mobilize support from the central region.

 However, tensions with Ruto escalated, particularly after allegations emerged that Gachagua was involved in financing anti-tax protests.

 Gachagua denied the claims, but Ruto’s reconciliation with opposition leader Raila Odinga after the protests seemed to accelerate his ouster.

Conflicts between Kenyan presidents and their deputies are not unusual and have often led to dismissals or resignations.

 Ruto himself fell out with his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, during his decade-long tenure as deputy president. However, Gachagua is the first deputy to be impeached under Kenya’s 2010 Constitution.

The impeachment, according to Mr. Mutiga, is “another example of the strength of Kenya’s institutions, as it was the first such process attempted since the adoption of the progressive 2010 Constitution.” Yet, this historic development leaves Kenya in uncharted territory, as many await Gachagua’s next moves and the broader implications for Kenya’s political landscape.