Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was impeached by the National Assembly on Tuesday night after a daylong debate on whether he violated constitutional provisions, including the oath of office and the National Cohesion and Integration Act, among other accusations.
With Parliament buildings secured by heavily armed police officers, the House voted 281-44, with one abstention, to impeach Mr Gachagua.
The proceedings were quite uneventful, with lawmakers voting on the motion tabled by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse.
The lawmaker argued in his motion that the DP had, during his time in office, grossly violated the Constitution and failed to honour his oath of office.
He also accused Mr Gachagua of inciteful remarks, undermining the President and the Cabinet, attacks against the Judiciary, corruption and a failure to adhere to his oath of office.
“Besides, the utterances are highly inflammatory and inciteful and significantly undermine national unity and the peaceful co-existence of Kenya’s diverse communities,” the motion read in part.
Mr Gachagua was also accused of amassing unexplained wealth, including properties such as Olive Garden Hotel and Vipingo Beach Resort, among others.
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The Deputy President denied the allegation both during a televised national address on Monday night and while appearing in the National Assembly on Tuesday evening, saying he was being targeted for his outspoken nature and loyalty to the people of Mount Kenya region.
“The allegations that I own the Olive Garden Hotel are false. Olive Garden Hotel used to belong to my deceased brother the late Hon Nderitu Gachagua and therefore has never been my property. Just as in Olive Garden, Vipingo Beach Resort belongs to the estate of the late Nderitu Gachagua,” Mr Gachagua said.
Following his impeachment by the National Assembly, Mr Gachagua’s case will now proceed to the Senate, where a trial will be held to determine the validity of the allegations against him.
The Senate will assess the evidence presented and decide whether to uphold or overturn the impeachment decision made by the National Assembly.
EDITOR’S NOTE: President William Ruto has unleashed his machinery to decapitate his deputy politically, setting in motion an impeachment process. Don’t miss all the drama in the October 2024 issue of Nairobi Law Magazine.
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