In an unprecedented move in Kenya, Members of Parliament voted on Tuesday evening, October 8, to impeach Vice President Rigathi Gachagua following a lengthy day of debate. The motion, which lists eleven grounds for impeachment, will now be presented to the Senate for consideration. Gachagua, who has been at odds with President William Ruto for months, denounced the move as a “political plot” and dismissed the accusations as “pure propaganda.”
For nearly two hours, the Vice President defended himself before the MPs. The motion accuses him of corruption, inciting ethnic divisions, and “insubordination” towards the President, among other charges. Gachagua refuted these allegations with a detailed file prepared by his legal team, presenting various documents and videos. He denied any involvement in a corruption scandal related to mosquito net supplies and explained that his vast real estate holdings, valued at 36 million euros, included properties inherited from his late brother.
Despite his efforts, the MPs were not convinced. A total of 281 members voted in favor of impeachment, surpassing the required threshold of 233 votes, while only 44 voted against it. The motion will now move to the Senate, where a two-thirds majority will be required for the impeachment to proceed.