Kenyan MPs Back Impeachment of Deputy President Gachagua

By Cindy Situma

Members of Parliament from various political parties have pledged to support impeachment proceedings against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of undermining the government. 

This reflects an increasing rift between President William Ruto and his deputy, according to Parliament's Majority Leader, Kimani Ichung'wah.

The potential impeachment adds to the government’s growing challenges, following months of deadly protests over a controversial finance bill. The unrest forced President Ruto to shelve the bill in June and overhaul much of his cabinet.

"It is true there is an impeachment motion against the Deputy President, and as the Member of Parliament for Kikuyu, I have already signed it," Ichung'wah stated on Sunday. 

"I will support the impeachment to stop internal efforts to undermine and sabotage the government."

In recent days, Gachagua has spoken out about being sidelined and denied accusations linking him and his associates to the unrest. 

He described the allegations as "a futile attempt to tarnish my name and create grounds for impeachment proceedings."

On Sunday, Gachagua told reporters that any impeachment motion would require the President’s approval. 

"Without the President's go-ahead, the motion cannot reach Parliament. If it does, it means the President has authorized it," he said.

Gachagua holds significant support in Kenya's central region, and any efforts to unseat him could stir unrest there, further complicating matters for Ruto.

The protests, which resulted in over 50 deaths, marked Ruto's biggest political crisis since assuming office in 2022. Demonstrators opposed tax hikes in the finance bill and demanded action on misgovernance and corruption.

In July, as part of a major cabinet reshuffle, Ruto nominated four members of the main opposition party to a "broad-based" cabinet. 

However, activists have criticized this move, arguing that it continues a tradition of co-opting the opposition rather than implementing the far-reaching reforms demanded by citizens.