Rigathi Gachagua impeached after 281 MPs back motion in Parliament

 

Impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua

The National Assembly has approved the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua following a vote on the floor of the House.

A total of 281 members voted in favour of the motion, 44 voted against it, and one member abstained.

In line with procedure, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula, is required to notify the Speaker of the Senate within two days.

Wetang’ula confirmed that he would fulfil this constitutional duty under Article 145(2b), directing the clerk to prepare the necessary documentation to accompany the resolution.

Upon receiving the notification, the Senate Speaker, Amason Kingi, will convene a Senate meeting within seven days to consider the charges against Gachagua.

The Senate may choose to appoint an 11-member special committee to investigate the matter, which will have 10 days to determine whether the allegations are substantiated.

During the investigation, the special committee may summon the mover of the motion and other MPs from the National Assembly.

Gachagua will also be invited to appear in person or send representation to defend himself.

For the motion to succeed in the National Assembly, it required the support of at least two-thirds of the members or 233 votes.

This threshold was successfully met.

The House Business Committee had earlier agreed on a roll-call vote to ensure transparency during the process.

The motion was tabled by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, who accused Deputy President Gachagua of gross misconduct and violations of the Constitution.

Gachagua was allowed to defend himself before the vote, appealing to the MPs to consider the allegations, evidence, and his defence.

He urged the House to search their consciences before making a decision, questioning whether the impeachment process was politically motivated.

On Monday evening, Gachagua dismissed the charges as “outrageous,” vowing to clear his name. He maintained his innocence, stating, “My apology to President Ruto yesterday is not an admission of these baseless allegations meant to overturn the will of the people.”

He further argued that none of the accusations met the legal threshold for impeachment.

The motion, signed by 291 MPs, listed 11 grounds for Gachagua’s removal, including violations of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act, the Leadership and Integrity Act, and the National Cohesion and Integration Act.

According to Article 145 of the Constitution, if the allegations are not substantiated, there will be no further action, and Gachagua will continue serving as Deputy President.

However, if the charges are substantiated, the Senate will vote on each impeachment charge.

If at least two-thirds of the Senate members uphold any of the charges, Gachagua will be removed from office and stand officially impeached.

By Beth Nyaga