Kenya’s Senate today began debating the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua after the embattled politician lost yet another court bid to stop the process.
In a historic move last week, the lower House of parliament, the National Assembly, voted overwhelmingly to impeach Gachagua on 11 charges including corruption and abuse of office, but the 59-year-old has denied all the allegations and will continue to serve in his role until the Senate decides whether to approve his removal.
The upper House began meeting last week, but began a debate on the motion today, initially behind closed doors and a decision on that is expected tomorrow.
If approved, Gachagua would become the first deputy president to be removed from office in this way since impeachment was introduced in Kenya’s revised 2010 constitution.
Gachagua, a powerful businessman from Kenya’s biggest tribe, the Kikuyu, weathered previous corruption scandals to become deputy leader as President William Ruto’s running mate in a closely fought election in August 2022.
But in recent weeks, he has complained of being sidelined by the president and had been accused of supporting youth-led anti-government protests that broke out in June.
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