What’s Next After MPs Back Gachagua Impeachment?
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua faced a major setback on Tuesday, October 8, as 281 members of the National Assembly voted to impeach him, leaving only 44 members in his defense.
The impeachment process, initiated on October 1 by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, cited 11 reasons for Gachagua’s removal, which were presented to Parliament for review.
With over 233 MPs voting in favor, exceeding the required threshold, Gachagua’s long-held claim of the motion being a politically motivated attack seemed to carry little weight in the face of the overwhelming opposition.
Despite slim hopes of survival in the National Assembly, Gachagua remains in jeopardy as more than two-thirds of MPs have turned against him, although the impeachment is not final yet.
The motion now moves to the Senate, which will ultimately decide the fate of the embattled Deputy President.
Following the National Assembly’s approval, Speaker Moses Wetangula instructed the clerk to prepare and send the necessary paperwork to Senate Speaker Amason Kingi.
ALSO READ:
- How not to make a mistake when choosing the best bookmaker in Kenya
- Understanding Gatwiri’s Cause of Death: Unraveling Positional Asphyxiation
- KRA Rules Out Tax Relief on SHIF Deductions
- Understanding Why Married Women Cheat: Common Reasons Behind Infidelity
- Violence Erupts in Mozambique: Three Killed, 66 Injured in Protests Over Disputed Election
Kingi will convene a Senate session within seven days to address the charges brought against Gachagua.
Earlier today, Kingi signaled the Senate’s preparedness to tackle the case, stating, “The Senate will serve as a quasi-judicial body to examine and rule on the matter concerning the Deputy President.”
The Senate will then deliberate on whether there is sufficient evidence to uphold Gachagua’s impeachment.
For Gachagua, an impeachment would mark the end of his political career, rendering him ineligible for future public office and stripping him of his retirement benefits.
In an interesting twist, during his televised address on Monday, October 7, Gachagua accused Senate Speaker Kingi and National Assembly Speaker Wetangula of benefiting from a pre-election agreement.
Gachagua claimed that Kingi secured the Senate Speaker role through the deal, adding, “Let’s be transparent. You brought this motion, and we’ll discuss it. The people of Kenya need to know the truth if Rigathi Gachagua is being punished for speaking it.”
What’s Next After MPs Back Gachagua Impeachment?
