DP Gachagua's remaining options after MPs impeachment vote

A total of 281 Members of Parliament voted on Tuesday to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, setting the stage for his fate to be determined by the Senate.

Speaker Moses Wetang'ula called the vote after only 44 MPs supported the DP, falling far short of the 117 required to save him from impeachment.

The vote followed a heated debate in the National Assembly, with lawmakers from both sides passionately defending their positions. The Constitution now requires the Senate to act as the trial chamber to either confirm or overturn the decision.

Gachagua faces 11 charges brought forward by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, including gross violations of the Constitution, undermining President William Ruto, irregular acquisition of wealth, promoting ethnicity, insubordination to the president, and intimidation of the acting Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa) CEO, among other accusations.

Despite his impeachment in the National Assembly, Gachagua has one last hope in the Senate. He will need at least 23 senators to vote against the motion to remain in office.

Prior to the vote, Gachagua defended himself before Parliament, expressing confidence that the legislators would make the right decision.

“I want to appeal to this Honourable House to consider the allegations against me by the mover of the motion. Weigh it against the attached evidence, weigh it against my defence and the attachments and the videos that I have played in this House, and exercise your mind, and exercise your discretion. Search your conscience and decide if Rigathi Gachagua is guilty of any of those allegations or is undergoing a political process,” he said.

He had urged the MPs to think about the precedent set during President William Ruto’s tenure as Deputy President, drawing parallels between Ruto’s past persecution and his current situation.

“Many members who are in this House remember what President William Ruto as DP went through, and most of us stood with him. Rigathi Gachagua underwent four years of persecution. Others were persecuted, but we took a firm stand because we believed we were doing the right thing,” he said

Speaker Wetang'ula, after announcing the results, confirmed that Parliament would resume regular sessions on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at 9:30 am.

Gachagua can still appeal the decision in court if the Senate upholds the National Assembly’s vote.