Kenya’s Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua Faces Impeachment

Kenya’s Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, is at the center of a political storm as the country’s parliament prepares to vote on his impeachment. The proceedings have highlighted growing tensions within the ruling party, exposing divisions between Gachagua and President William Ruto.

Lawmakers have accused the 59-year-old deputy of corruption, undermining government efforts, and promoting ethnically divisive politics, among other allegations. At a press conference on Monday, Gachagua dismissed these accusations as “outrageous” and “sheer propaganda,” claiming it was a plot to force him out of office.

Gachagua, a prominent businessman from the Kikuyu tribe, has previously faced corruption allegations but managed to secure his position as Ruto’s deputy during the closely contested August 2022 elections. However, recent weeks have seen him voicing concerns about being sidelined by the President and being accused of backing youth-led anti-government protests that erupted in June.

The political climate has been tense since these protests, which were sparked by unpopular tax increases, further strained the relationship between Gachagua and Ruto. The Deputy President acknowledged that the impeachment process could not proceed without Ruto’s consent.

Last month, several MPs aligned with Gachagua were called in for questioning by the police over allegations of funding the protests. Despite this, no official charges have been filed against Gachagua, and no judicial investigation has been launched.

The impeachment motion lists 11 grounds for action against Gachagua, including allegations that he accumulated assets worth 5.2 billion shillings (approximately $40 million) since the last election, despite an official annual salary of just $93,000. One of the assets mentioned is the iconic Treetops Hotel, where Queen Elizabeth II was staying when she became queen.

Gachagua insists that his wealth comes from legitimate business ventures and an inheritance from his late brother. He has warned that his impeachment could trigger discontent among his supporters, emphasizing that he will not resign and is prepared to fight the allegations.

The impeachment process began on October 1, with 291 members of parliament supporting the motion—well above the required threshold of 117 MPs. Gachagua is expected to address the parliament to present his defense before further debates and a vote are held. For the motion to pass, it needs the backing of two-thirds of the members, or 233 MPs, after which it will be sent to the Senate for consideration.

If impeached, Gachagua would make history as the first Deputy President to be removed from office through this process since Kenya’s 2010 constitutional reforms allowed for such actions.

Dismas Mokua, a political risk analyst based in Nairobi, observed that Gachagua seemed to expect a co-leadership role alongside Ruto. “He lacked the strategic patience required for his position, falling into the same trap as previous deputies who sought quick solutions,” Mokua said. While he doubts that Gachagua’s impeachment would spark widespread unrest, he cautioned that orchestrated protests could be a possibility.