A Kenyan court has ruled that the impeachment proceedings against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua are constitutional, allowing the Senate to proceed with deliberations. Gachagua was impeached on charges including corruption, undermining the government, and inciting ethnic hatred, which he denies, claiming the motion is politically motivated. A two-thirds majority is needed from the Senate for his removal, making this a significant event in Kenya’s political landscape as Gachagua could be the first Deputy President to be impeached since the 2010 constitutional reforms.
A recent ruling by a Kenyan court has deemed the impeachment proceedings against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to be constitutional. This decision comes after the National Assembly voted overwhelmingly to impeach Mr. Gachagua on eleven counts, including charges of corruption, undermining governmental authority, and inciting ethnic hatred. The Senate is poised to commence discussions on the impeachment, following the high court’s clearance for the proceedings to advance. Deputy President Gachagua, who has categorically denied all allegations, characterized the impeachment motion as a political assault rooted in falsehoods. He referred to the proceedings as a form of political lynching, as indicated in documents reviewed by the Reuters news agency. Despite Gachagua’s efforts to challenge the accusations, Justice Eric Ogola affirmed that the Senate should conduct a trial where the disputed issues would be examined and resolved. While a decision from the Senate is anticipated imminently, it necessitates a two-thirds majority for Gachagua’s removal. The Senate commenced its session last week but began deliberating the impeachment motion in private sessions. If the Deputy President is ousted, he would make history as the first official to be removed from office through impeachment under the revised 2010 constitution of Kenya. Gachagua, 59, has navigated corruption controversies in the past but has managed to secure his position as Deputy President alongside President William Ruto after their victory in the closely contested August 2022 elections. Nonetheless, recent political dynamics suggest a rift between the Deputy President and the President, particularly as Gachagua has expressed feelings of being marginalized within the administration. He has been implicated in supporting youth-led protests against the government that began in June, which have highlighted fissures within Kenya’s leadership. In the wake of these public demonstrations, which resulted in over fifty fatalities, President Ruto undertook significant cabinet reshuffling, embracing members from the opposition as part of what he termed a unity government. Notably, President Ruto has refrained from publicly commenting on Gachagua’s impeachment, although it is widely recognized that the initiation of such proceedings would likely not occur without the President’s consensus.
The impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua marks a significant turn in Kenyan politics, particularly as it emerges from escalating tensions within the ruling coalition. Following the August 2022 elections, where Gachagua served as the running mate to President William Ruto, their partnership has since weakened, culminating in accusations against Gachagua related to misuse of authority and financial misconduct. This incident is underscored by a backdrop of increased public dissent, triggered by recent governmental tax policies that have led to widespread protests across the nation. The atmosphere is further complicated by Ruto’s strategic response to unify his administration by appointing members from the opposition, indicative of a shift in the political landscape. Gachagua’s case, should it progress successfully to a removal from office, would set a historical precedent for the handling of deputy presidential officials in Kenya. Therefore, the legal and political ramifications of this situation are noteworthy not only for the individuals involved but also for Kenya’s broader democratic processes.
The court ruling affirming the constitutionality of the impeachment proceedings against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua signifies a pivotal moment in Kenyan politics, as his removal could resonate throughout the government’s structural dynamics. As the Senate prepares for hearings, the outcome hinges on the political alignment within the legislature and the broader implications of Gachagua’s allegations of political persecution. The forthcoming decision from the Senate will be instrumental in determining the future trajectory of both Gachagua’s career and the operational integrity of the current administration under President Ruto.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
