Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua Impeached By Parliament

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been impeached by the National Assembly to becomes the first deputy president to be impeached in Kenya’s history.

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.

Only 233 MPs were needed to support the motion for Gachagua to stand impeached.

“Article 145 (2) of the constitution sets a threshold of at least two thirds of members of the National Assembly to be considered in support of a special motion for proposed removal of the Deputy President of the Republic for the motion to be carried,” Speaker Moses Wetang’ula said.

“According to the results of the decision on the motion that I have just declared, a total of 281 members being more than two thirds of the members of the National Assembly, have voted in support of the motion,” he said.

“The House will resume tomorrow morning, Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at 9.30am to resume the regular business as scheduled by the House Business Committee.”

Kibwezi West Member of Parliament (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.

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.

Wetang’ula is by law required to inform the Speaker of the Senate of the resolution to impeach the DP within two days.

“In this regard, I will proceed to discharge the singular duty placed on me by Article 145 (2b) of the constitution under which to notify the Speaker of the Motion of the resolution of the National Assembly. The clerk is required to prepare the necessary documentation to accompany the resolution,” Wetang’ula said.

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.