Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ Kenya’s political landscape has been thrown into turmoil following the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who has publicly accused President William Ruto of cruelty and endangering his life. Gachagua, who was impeached by the Senate on five of 11 charges, including threatening judges and promoting ethnically divisive politics, has claimed that his security has been withdrawn, and his staff placed on compulsory leave. He also threatened to hold Ruto accountable should anything happen to him or his family.
The impeachment trial, which took place over two days, concluded with a Senate vote to remove Gachagua from office. However, the High Court suspended the nomination of Kithure Kindiki, Kenya’s Interior Minister, as the new deputy president before the process to replace him could complete. This legal development temporarily halts the rapid moves to fill Gachagua’s position, with a three-judge bench scheduled to hear the case on Tuesday.
Gachagua’s accusations came after he was discharged from a hospital in Nairobi, where he was treated for severe chest pains, which began just before his scheduled testimony in the impeachment trial. His attempts to postpone the session failed, and the Senate voted overwhelmingly in favor of his removal.
While President Ruto has yet to comment publicly on the impeachment, Gachagua’s remarks suggest a significant rift between the two leaders, who were once close political allies. Gachagua’s impeachment marks the first time a Kenyan deputy president has been ousted under the country’s 2010 constitution, which introduced impeachment as a mechanism for removing senior government officials. The unfolding legal and political drama continues to be closely watched, with Gachagua’s fate and the broader implications for Kenyan politics hanging in the balance.
