Kenya’s DP Gachagua impeached

NAIROBI, Kenya – The Senate has sustained the motion to impeach the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua after two days of hearing.

Senators were required to convict him in one of the 11 charges tabled in the Senate. He became the first Deputy President in East Africa to be removed from office by a Senate vote.

President William Ruto is expected to announce Gachagua’s successor within the next 24 hours, after which Members of Parliament will confirm the appointment in a session scheduled for Friday, October 18, local media have reported.

Earlier on Thursday, the Senate voted to proceed with the case against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in his absence.

The senators voted against a motion to adjourn the sessions until Saturday, October 19, 2024.

“Since this process is bound by the constitution, and considering that the deadline is Saturday, the only window that is open will be to declare Saturday as the last day for hearing this matter,” Amason Kingi directed before the senators voted.

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Kingi had requested the Senate to adjourn Thursday’s afternoon session until Saturday, but the senators voted against that proposal.

This came after Gachagua’s lawyer, Paul Muite, stated that the Deputy President would not be able to attend in person due to severe chest pain.

“I have been able to communicate with doctors at Karen Hospital, but due to his condition, I could not speak to him directly,” he said.

“He is currently suffering from severe chest pain.”