Kenya’s Deputy President Faces Impeachment Motion, Denies Allegations

Kenya’s Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, is facing an impeachment motion in which he is accused of supporting anti-government protests in June and being involved in corruption and other irregularities. In a televised speech on Monday, Gachagua defended himself, calling the allegations “shameful and sensational” and accusing the legislator who drafted the motion of lying.

Gachagua is expected to appear before parliament on Tuesday afternoon, where he will “prosecute my defence for two hours.” In his speech, he denied any wrongdoing, saying that some of the properties listed in the impeachment motion belonged to his late brother. He also defended renovation expenditures for his official residence, stating that it was in a state of disrepair and needed to be “dignified.”

On Sunday, Gachagua implored President William Ruto, legislators, and Kenyans to forgive him for any wrongdoing during his tenure. He clarified on Monday that his apology was not an admission of guilt and dispelled rumors that he would resign.

The impeachment motion has sparked controversy, with supporters and opponents of Gachagua clashing at public forums. A total of 291 legislators, more than the 117 required by the constitution, signed the impeachment motion before it was introduced. However, a number of legislators from Gachagua’s region have since withdrawn their support, citing contrary views from their constituents.

President Ruto has yet to comment publicly on the impeachment motion, but has previously stated that he would not publicly humiliate his deputy, alluding to his troubled relationship with his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, during their second term in office.

The fate of Gachagua’s tenure as deputy president hangs in the balance, as legislators are set to debate the motion on Tuesday and later hold a vote before it proceeds to the Senate.