Kenya’s Vice President Gachagua impeached while hospitalized

In a dramatic turn of events, Kenya’s Vice President, Rigathi Gachagua, was officially impeached on Thursday, October 17, 2024, while receiving medical treatment in a hospital.

Gachagua, a key figure in President William Ruto’s government, was unable to appear in the Senate to defend himself against a series of allegations, leading to a majority vote by senators to remove him from office. The impeachment marks a significant development in Kenya’s political landscape, one that could have wide-reaching implications.

The Senate convened for a late-night session, where they voted to uphold five out of the 11 charges leveled against Gachagua.

The accusations included violations of the constitution, corruption, incitement of division, interference with the President’s duties, and disregard for government procedures. This followed a decisive vote in the National Assembly the previous week, which had overwhelmingly approved his impeachment, pushing the matter to the Senate for final determination.

The impeachment proceedings were further complicated by Gachagua’s unexpected health issues. According to his legal team, Gachagua, commonly known by his popular nickname "Riggy G," was admitted to a hospital earlier in the day after experiencing chest pains.

His lawyer appealed to the Senate for a postponement of the proceedings, citing his client’s medical condition. The Senate, however, rejected the plea, deciding to continue the impeachment process in Gachagua’s absence.

Gachagua had briefly attended the morning session of his trial in the Senate but was expected to return for the afternoon proceedings to present his defense.

However, his hospitalization prevented him from doing so. A doctor, whose report was shared by Reuters, confirmed that the 59-year-old leader had been admitted due to heart complications but was in stable condition and under medical supervision.

Despite his absence, the Senate voted to continue the proceedings, with Gachagua’s legal team walking out in protest after the decision to proceed without their client. Following the session, senators cast their votes, ultimately deciding to impeach the Deputy President on the basis of five key charges.

The charges against Gachagua were serious and wide-ranging. He was accused of undermining the constitution, particularly through actions that were viewed as corrupt, including engaging in bribery and fostering division among different ethnic and political groups.

Additionally, he was charged with interfering with the duties of President William Ruto, who has been his political ally but with whom relations have become increasingly strained in recent months. Gachagua was also accused of openly disregarding government protocols and failing to support the government’s agenda in key matters.

President William Ruto, who now faces the task of finding a new Deputy President, is expected to move swiftly to fill the vacancy in order to avoid a leadership vacuum.

Speculation is already rife within political circles and media outlets in Kenya about who might replace Gachagua.

Several prominent names have been floated, including Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, and Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi, all of whom are seen as possible successors.

The tension between President Ruto and Gachagua had been simmering for months, and it is widely believed that their relationship reached a breaking point during youth protests in June 2024. The protests, driven by growing dissatisfaction among young people in Kenya, highlighted cracks within the government, with Gachagua reportedly taking a stance that opposed some of the President’s policies during the unrest.

This internal strife is thought to have fueled the momentum behind his impeachment, as political rivalries and personal differences became public.

Despite the political fallout, Gachagua has continued to deny the allegations against him. Prior to the Senate vote, he released a statement calling the impeachment proceedings a "political witch-hunt" designed to weaken him and his influence within Kenya’s political framework.

He claimed that the charges were fabricated by his political enemies and that the process was intended to remove him from office for political rather than legal reasons.

Gachagua has also expressed his intention to appeal the Senate’s decision, maintaining his innocence and pledging to fight the outcome through Kenya’s judicial system.

He said, “I will not be silenced by political intimidation. If they think they can remove me, they are wrong. I will appeal this decision and clear my name.”

As the country waits for President Ruto to announce a replacement, Kenya is on edge, with many analysts suggesting that this impeachment could signal a major shift in the political dynamics of the nation. Gachagua, a wealthy and influential politician from Kenya’s central region, has a strong support base, particularly in the Mount Kenya region, and his removal could have far-reaching effects on local and national politics.

With potential successors being discussed widely in the media, Kenya is bracing for what could be a highly consequential decision from President Ruto.

The names mentioned include powerful figures from within the President’s circle, each of whom would bring a unique set of political strengths and alliances to the role of Deputy President.

In the meantime, Gachagua’s future remains uncertain, but his impeachment has undeniably left a mark on Kenya’s political history. As the legal and political battles continue, the country will be closely watching to see how this high-stakes drama unfolds.