Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua faces a pivotal moment as the Senate begins its two-day hearing on his impeachment. The 67-member Senate will determine his fate after the National Assembly passed the motion for his removal last week. With the Senate now deliberating, Gachagua’s position as the country’s second-in-command hangs in the balance.
The stakes are high, with Gachagua facing 11 charges, including corruption, ethnic division, and undermining the government. If the Senate confirms his impeachment, he will become the first deputy president in Kenya’s history to be removed by Parliament. He needs at least 23 senators to vote in his favor to survive the impeachment, while 45 senators would have to vote to uphold any of the charges for him to be ousted.
Amid the looming impeachment, political maneuvering has intensified. Sources indicate that intense lobbying is underway for Gachagua’s potential replacement, with some speculating that a new deputy president could be named before the Mashujaa Day celebrations on October 20. However, any replacement would need approval from the National Assembly before being sworn in. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki was initially seen as the frontrunner, but ongoing lobbying has introduced other contenders, creating divisions, particularly within the Mount Kenya region.
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Some Mount Kenya politicians, who initially supported Gachagua’s removal, are reconsidering their stance as the succession debate evolves. Central Imenti MP Moses Kirima revealed that many MPs from Mount Kenya East had voted for the impeachment with the understanding that Kindiki would replace Gachagua. However, with more names being floated, discontent has arisen, causing some to reconsider their support.
As Gachagua prepares to defend himself, his legal team is expected to present evidence and affidavits at the Senate hearing on Thursday. However, his lawyers have been secretive about the names of the witnesses they plan to call. Despite his efforts, Gachagua has faced multiple legal setbacks. A three-judge bench, led by Justices Eric Ogolla, Antony Mrima, and Frida Mugambi, ruled that the courts could not block the Senate from proceeding with the impeachment. They cited the principle of separation of powers, stating that it was premature for the judiciary to intervene in an ongoing legislative process.
With his court appeals exhausted, Gachagua now turns to the Senate to make his final stand. The 59-year-old politician, known as "Riggy G," has denied the allegations against him, calling them "outrageous" and "sheer propaganda." However, if the Senate votes to remove him, Gachagua will be barred from holding public office for life under Kenya’s leadership and integrity laws.
