As the Senate continues with the hearings and prepares for a vote, the political future of Kenya’s deputy president hangs in the balance
17th October 2024
Digital Worldwide News
Kenya’s Senate is pressing ahead with impeachment proceedings against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, despite his absence due to illness. The hearing, set to determine whether Gachagua will be dismissed from office, took a dramatic turn when his lawyer announced that the deputy president had been hospitalized with severe chest pains.
Gachagua, who played a key role in helping President William Ruto win the 2022 elections, faces 11 impeachment charges, many of which center around alleged disloyalty and inflammatory public comments. The Senate’s decision to proceed without him has sparked controversy and further inflamed political tensions.
The deputy president’s legal team, led by lawyer Paul Muite, appealed to the Senate for a delay in the proceedings, citing Gachagua's deteriorating health. Muite argued that his client’s illness was severe enough to require hospitalization and urged the Senate to pause the hearing for at least a couple of days.
“The sad reality is that the deputy president of the Republic of Kenya has been taken very sick,” Muite stated, stressing the need for Gachagua to defend himself in person.
Despite this plea, Speaker Amason Kingi put forward a motion to adjourn the proceedings, but the Senate voted against it, signaling a clear intention to proceed with the impeachment in Gachagua’s absence. "The nays have it," Kingi declared as Gachagua's legal team walked out in protest.
Gachagua's impeachment has become a flashpoint in Kenya’s political landscape. Once a close ally of President Ruto, Gachagua has faced growing criticism from within the ruling coalition. His opponents accuse him of disloyalty and stirring ethnic tensions through divisive public remarks.
Many analysts see the impeachment as politically motivated, raising questions about the timing and legitimacy of the charges. With Kenya still reeling from the aftermath of anti-tax protests earlier in the year, some view the proceedings as a distraction from the pressing issues of economic hardship and alleged government corruption.
"Many Kenyans see this as a political lynching rather than a genuine effort to uphold accountability," said Karuti Kanyinga, a professor at the University of Nairobi’s Institute for Development Studies.
The charges against Gachagua are serious. They range from accusations of inciting ethnic hatred to acquiring properties worth over $40 million since assuming office. According to lawmakers, Gachagua's financial assets ballooned suspiciously in just two years, with his reported net worth before entering office standing at approximately $6 million.
Mwengi Mutuse, a lawmaker from Ruto’s coalition, spearheaded the impeachment push. Mutuse accused Gachagua of exploiting his position to enrich himself and stirring ethnic divisions, particularly in comments made about minorities from his home region.
However, Gachagua's defense team insists the allegations are baseless. Elisha Ongoya, another member of the legal team, criticized the lack of concrete evidence, calling the accusations speculative and politically charged. "There is no solid proof to substantiate these claims. This is a political witch-hunt," Ongoya told DWN.
The high bar for impeachment
The stakes are high for Gachagua. If two-thirds of the Senate vote in favor of impeachment, he will become the first deputy president in Kenya’s history to be removed from office through this process, introduced by the 2010 constitution.
Political observers warn that Gachagua's removal could trigger significant political instability. The public perception of the impeachment process as a politically motivated attack could hurt President Ruto, whose relationship with Gachagua has reportedly soured in recent months.
“Should Gachagua be ousted, it could backfire on Ruto," Kanyinga warned. "Many will start asking whether the president himself is above scrutiny.”
The Kenyan public is watching the impeachment closely, with opinions sharply divided. Some view the proceedings as necessary to hold public officials accountable, while others believe it is part of a broader political game aimed at sidelining Ruto’s former ally.
President Ruto has remained notably silent throughout the impeachment process, but the political stakes are high for his administration. Should Gachagua be removed, it may further deepen existing fissures within the ruling coalition, potentially destabilizing Ruto’s government at a time when the country is grappling with economic challenges and public discontent.
"The president risks a backlash if Gachagua’s ousting is seen as politically driven. Many Kenyans are already unhappy with the government’s handling of recent crises," said a political analyst.
An uncertain future for Gachagua
For Gachagua, the outcome of the Senate vote is uncertain, but the path forward is fraught with challenges. His hospitalization adds a layer of complexity to the proceedings, raising questions about the fairness of the impeachment process and whether he will have the opportunity to defend himself adequately.
Gachagua has repeatedly described the impeachment as a “political lynching,” framing himself as a victim of internal power struggles. Whether he will have a chance to recover and mount a robust defense remains to be seen.
As the Senate continues with the hearings and prepares for a vote, the political future of Kenya’s deputy president hangs in the balance. Should the vote go against him, it could mark a dramatic turning point in Kenyan politics, with long-lasting implications for both Gachagua and President Ruto’s administration.