Kenyan Deputy President Impeached While Hospitalized In Critical Condition

The Kenyan Senate made history on Thursday by impeaching Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, the first time a deputy president has been removed from office in the country’s history.

Despite a request from Gachagua’s lawyer, Paul Muite, for a postponement due to the deputy president’s sudden hospitalization, the Senate proceeded with the vote. Senate Speaker Amason Kingi gave Gachagua until 5 PM local time to appear, but his absence led to the decision to move forward.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that at least 53 senators voted in favor of the motion, which passed on five of the eleven charges against Gachagua.

These included improper shareholding, undermining judicial independence, violating the National Cohesion and Integrity Act, and gross misconduct, particularly for publicly attacking the National Security Intelligence Service.

The impeachment was largely prompted by Gachagua’s June criticism of the intelligence agency for failing to inform President William Ruto about the scale of protests over tax hikes, a move seen as undermining the president.

In the National Assembly, 281 Members of Parliament voted for Gachagua’s removal, with only 44 opposed and one abstention. Following the vote, Speaker Kingi announced, “DP Gachagua ceases to hold office.”

Gachagua has called the impeachment a “political witch hunt” and vowed to fight it in court, while President Ruto has yet to comment on the matter or name a potential successor.

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