Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua Denies Eleven Charges, Including Gross Violation of Constitution and Abuse of Office

In a dramatic turn of events, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has pleaded not guilty to all eleven charges levelled against him, setting the stage for a full hearing by the Senate plenary. The charges include gross violation of the constitution and other laws, abuse of office, and gross misconduct.

According to the impeachment motion, Gachagua is accused of promoting ethnic discrimination and undermining national unity through divisive public statements. His public statements are said to promote division and undermine the core values of the Constitution, including unity and inclusiveness. The motion also alleges that Gachagua has contradicted government policies and failed to uphold his duties as Deputy President, violating the principle of collective Cabinet responsibility.

Furthermore, the motion claims that Gachagua has interfered with devolved county functions, undermining devolution and threatening the judiciary, violating the principle of judicial independence. He is also accused of failing to respect and defend the Constitution, and his inflammatory remarks allegedly violated the National Cohesion and Integration Act by promoting ethnic hatred.

The motion also accuses Gachagua of engaging in corruption, money laundering, and abuse of office, violating anti-corruption laws. Additionally, he is accused of making false and malicious statements, breaching the Penal Code and Leadership and Integrity Act. The motion cites gross misconduct, including reckless attacks on the National Intelligence Service, insubordination to the President, bullying public officers, and influencing corrupt practices.

The full hearing of the case by the Senate plenary is expected to shed more light on the allegations against Gachagua, and the outcome will have significant implications for the country’s political landscape.