Kenyan lawmakers have voted to impeach Vice President Rigathi Gachagua, paving the way for the Senate to consider the motion.
According to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, 281 members voted in support of the motion, exceeding the required two-thirds majority.
Gachagua has denied all charges, including enriching himself and stirring ethnic hatred.
He urged lawmakers to “search your conscience” before voting, emphasizing that if they found no grounds for impeachment, they should make the right decision. Despite his pleas, the impeachment motion passed with 281 votes to 44 and one abstention.
The allegations against Gachagua include amassing an unexplained large property portfolio and promoting ethnic divisions.
Kimani Ichung’wah, parliament’s majority leader, accused Gachagua of violating eight provisions of the Kenyan constitution. Ichung’wah even led lawmakers in a chant, saying “Rigathi must go” and labeling him a danger to national unity.
Gachagua has maintained his innocence, vowing to “fight to the end.”
He filed a court petition to halt the impeachment proceedings, which were initiated by President William Ruto’s coalition allies.
The Senate will now review the charges and may appoint a special committee to investigate. If two-thirds of the Senate upholds the impeachment, Gachagua will be dismissed.
Gachagua helped secure a significant block of votes for President Ruto in the 2022 election. However, recent months have seen reports of a rift between Gachagua and Ruto, with Gachagua feeling sidelined. Ruto has not publicly commented on the impeachment proceedings.
A recent poll by TIFA Research showed that 41% of Kenyans supported the impeachment, while 38% opposed it.
The outcome of the senate review will determine Gachagua’s fate as Vice President of Kenya.
