Kenyan Parliament Moves to Impeach Deputy President Gachagua Amid Allegations of Ethnic Hatred

Allies of Kenyan President William Ruto have initiated a parliamentary motion to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, claiming he incited ethnic hatred and undermined the government. Gachagua denies the accusations and asserts he has been marginalized. If the motion succeeds in the National Assembly and the Senate, Gachagua could be dismissed.

Allies of Kenyan President William Ruto introduced a motion in Parliament on Tuesday aiming to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of inciting ethnic hatred and undermining the government. The move exposes an apparent rift between Ruto and Gachagua, who has denied the allegations and claims he has been sidelined.

President Ruto has refrained from commenting publicly on the impeachment initiative, with no immediate remarks from his spokesperson or Gachagua's office. Gachagua, a significant figure from the populous Mount Kenya region, played a vital role in mobilizing the voting bloc that helped Ruto secure victory in the 2022 election.

The Deputy President's influence has waned since Ruto appointed members of the main opposition coalition to his government, following deadly protests in June and July against proposed tax hikes. An overwhelming 83% of lawmakers in the National Assembly have signed the impeachment motion, far surpassing the one-third required for a vote.

If the motion passes by a two-thirds majority in the lower house, the Senate will evaluate the charges and may form a special committee to investigate. Gachagua or his representative will have an opportunity to respond. A two-thirds Senate vote to uphold the impeachment would lead to Gachagua's removal.

Parliamentary speaker Moses Wetang'ula described the motion as an unprecedented constitutional moment and announced a public participation program for the impeachment process. Gachagua will be invited to Parliament on October 8 to address the charges.

The motion also accuses Gachagua of undermining the government by publicly contradicting Ruto. His comparison of the government to a company, suggesting preferential treatment for coalition voters, angered many in Ruto's coalition.

Labour Minister Alfred Mutua stressed the gravity of the charges on X, saying, "This motion is not about politics but saving Kenya's soul." However, Professor Macharia Munene from United States International University in Nairobi argued that the government was trying to distract from its own shortcomings by creating this crisis.

(With inputs from agencies.)