Kenya’s Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, addressed the media during a press conference at his official residence in Nairobi on October 7, 2024, ahead of a crucial National Assembly vote regarding his impeachment. The 59-year-old deputy to President William Ruto stands accused of various charges, including corruption, undermining the government, and promoting ethnically divisive politics.
Parliament is set to vote on Tuesday, revealing deepening divisions within the governing party. Gachagua, who has faced prior corruption allegations, vehemently denied the accusations at a press conference, labeling them as “outrageous” and “sheer propaganda.” He contends that the impeachment motion is a targeted effort to force him from office.
Hailing from Kenya’s largest ethnic group, the Kikuyu, Gachagua rose to prominence as Ruto’s running mate in the closely contested August 2022 election. However, he has recently voiced concerns about being sidelined by President Ruto and has been implicated in supporting youth-led anti-government protests that began in June. These protests erupted over unpopular tax increases, highlighting the growing tensions between Gachagua and Ruto.
Lawmakers backing the impeachment have accused Gachagua of amassing assets worth 5.2 billion shillings (approximately $40 million) since the last election, despite earning an annual salary of only $93,000. Among the assets listed is the iconic Treetops Hotel, where then-Princess Elizabeth stayed when she became queen. Gachagua asserts that his wealth is derived solely from legitimate business ventures and an inheritance from his deceased brother.
He has warned that his removal could lead to unrest among his supporters and emphasized that he has no intention of resigning, stating, “I will fight to the end.”
The impeachment process began on October 1, with 291 members of parliament supporting the motion, well above the required 117 votes. Gachagua will present his defense in parliament at 5:00 PM (1400 GMT), followed by a rebuttal from the motion’s sponsor, an MP from the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition.
To succeed, the motion requires a two-thirds majority, or 233 votes, in the lower house. If passed, it will advance to the Senate, marking a historic moment as Gachagua could become the first deputy president in Kenya to be impeached under the revised 2010 constitution.
Political analyst Dismas Mokua noted that Gachagua appears to have overestimated his political influence, stating, “He lacked the strategic political patience needed for the role, succumbing to the same fate as other deputies who sought quick solutions.” While organic protests are deemed unlikely, Mokua cautioned that the potential for orchestrated unrest remains high.