Kenya’s Senate is set to vote on whether to remove Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua from office, marking the culmination of a high-profile impeachment trial that has gripped the nation. The decision comes after two days of intense proceedings, during which Gachagua defended himself against a series of serious allegations, ranging from corruption to inciting ethnic divisions.
On Thursday, the deputy president took the stand to personally refute the 11 charges leveled against him, pleading not guilty and accusing his detractors of orchestrating a political witch hunt. The Senate’s vote, requiring a two-thirds majority to pass, will determine whether Gachagua’s tumultuous political career will come to an abrupt end, just two years after his election on a joint ticket with President William Ruto.
Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment is the latest dramatic twist in Kenya’s political landscape, a saga that has placed immense scrutiny on the deputy president and his relationship with President Ruto. The charges against Gachagua, 11 in total, include corruption, abuse of office, undermining government authority, and stoking ethnic tensions.
At the heart of the allegations is the accusation that Gachagua has engaged in corrupt dealings that have allowed him to amass an estimated 5.2 billion Kenyan shillings (approximately $40 million) in just two years. His accusers argue that his wealth is disproportionate to his income as a public servant and must have been acquired through illicit means. Gachagua, however, has vehemently denied these claims, attributing much of his wealth to assets inherited from his late brother.
The impeachment process was set in motion last week when the National Assembly, by an overwhelming majority, approved the motion to impeach Gachagua. This moved the matter to the Senate, where lawmakers have been deliberating on the case for the past two days. Mwengi Mutuse, the lawmaker who introduced the motion, has framed the charges as acts of “extraordinary wrongdoing” that threaten Kenya’s governance.
One of the most significant accusations involves comments Gachagua made, likening the government to a shareholding company and suggesting that only those who voted for it would benefit. This remark was widely condemned as divisive and unconstitutional, fueling perceptions that Gachagua was working to deepen ethnic and regional divisions within the country.
Gachagua’s fall from grace has been exacerbated by a deepening rift between him and President Ruto, a relationship that had initially seemed stable when they ran on a joint ticket in the 2022 elections. The partnership began to unravel earlier this year when Gachagua publicly criticized Kenya’s intelligence agency for failing to adequately inform the government about the growing unrest and mass protests that erupted over controversial tax hikes.
In an unprecedented move, Gachagua directly blamed the intelligence services for what he called a lack of foresight, just as President Ruto had been forced to retract the highly unpopular tax measures. The incident was seen as a significant act of disloyalty, and Ruto’s administration has since undergone a major reshuffle, with cabinet ministers from the opposition being brought into government. Political analysts suggest this may have been a deliberate effort to isolate Gachagua and consolidate Ruto’s own power base.
The Senate trial kicked off on Wednesday with Mwengi Mutuse leading the prosecution’s case. The lawmaker laid out the various charges against Gachagua, accusing him of violating the constitution and abusing the privileges of his office for personal gain.
One of the key pieces of evidence presented against Gachagua was a video clip in which President Ruto, speaking at a public rally, referred to residents of Murang’a in central Kenya as “major shareholders” of the government. The prosecution argued that this statement supported Gachagua’s earlier controversial remarks, implying that government benefits would be skewed toward those from certain regions.
However, Gachagua’s defense team, led by lawyer Elisha Ongoya, argued that the deputy president had simply been echoing the president’s rhetoric and should not be punished for what was essentially a shared political message. Ongoya described the accusations as either “false, ridiculous, or embarrassing,” and sought to discredit the evidence presented by the prosecution.
The trial’s first day stretched late into the night, with Gachagua’s legal team mounting a robust defense during cross-examination. Mutuse, the prosecution’s lead witness, at times appeared on the back foot, struggling to justify the claims about Gachagua’s wealth and the alleged corrupt dealings that had supposedly contributed to his rapid financial ascent.
Thursday saw Gachagua take the stand as the only witness in his defense. Dressed in a sharp suit, he maintained his composure as he addressed the Senate, insisting that the charges against him were politically motivated and lacked merit. Gachagua went into detail about his financial dealings, insisting that the assets in question were part of his family’s estate and had been acquired legally.
“I am not a corrupt man,” Gachagua declared. “I have worked hard for everything I own, and I have always acted in the best interest of Kenya.”
He also sought to downplay the fallout with President Ruto, portraying their differences as policy disagreements rather than personal animosity. “We have had our differences, yes, but that is part of governance,” he said, suggesting that the impeachment was being driven by external forces seeking to divide the government.
As Gachagua made his case, the tension in the Senate chamber was palpable. The deputy president is known for his sharp political instincts, and his defense on Thursday was aimed not just at the lawmakers present, but at the wider Kenyan public. Many observers see Gachagua as a politically savvy operator who has cultivated a strong support base in Kenya’s central region, where he hails from.
Gachagua’s impeachment trial has dominated headlines in recent weeks, with many Kenyans closely following the proceedings. The deputy president’s rise to power in 2022, after only a brief stint as a first-term MP, has been nothing short of meteoric. His wealth and influence, particularly in the vote-rich Mount Kenya region, have made him a significant player in Kenyan politics.
However, his rapid ascent may also be his undoing. The allegations of corruption and ethnic favoritism have eroded his standing, and with President Ruto seemingly distancing himself, Gachagua’s political future appears increasingly uncertain.
Should the Senate vote to remove him from office, attention will quickly turn to his possible successors. Kenyan media have already speculated on several potential replacements, including two serving governors and two ministers. This suggests that Ruto may already be positioning figures from his inner circle to fill the deputy president’s shoes, signaling a new political dynamic in the country’s leadership.
The vote in the Senate, expected to take place late Thursday evening, could have significant ramifications for Kenya’s political landscape. For Gachagua, the stakes are existential: if he is removed from office, his political career may be irreparably damaged. However, Gachagua has indicated that he will challenge any decision to impeach him, which could lead to a protracted legal battle.
For President Ruto, the impeachment presents both a challenge and an opportunity. While it risks further polarizing the government, particularly with his Mount Kenya base, it also allows Ruto to reassert his authority and distance himself from a deputy who has become increasingly contentious. Ruto’s decision to bring members of the opposition into his cabinet could be seen as a strategic move to stabilize his administration in the face of growing public discontent.
As the Senate prepares to vote, the nation waits with bated breath. Regardless of the outcome, Gachagua’s impeachment trial is a stark reminder of the shifting political alliances and the high-stakes power struggles that continue to define Kenya’s evolving democracy.
The final verdict on Rigathi Gachagua’s fate will not only determine the future of the deputy president but also reshape Kenya’s political terrain. If he is ousted, it could pave the way for new leadership dynamics, both within the ruling coalition and across the broader political spectrum. With the outcome hanging in the balance, the next few hours could prove pivotal in shaping the trajectory of Kenya’s government.
