Senate impeaches DP Rigathi Gachagua

The Senate on Thursday upheld the National Assembly's resolution to remove Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua from office by impeachment.

Senators voted against the 11 grounds of impeachment separately, electronically. However, the Senate only needed to uphold one charge to impeach him.

Senators approved five of the 11 grounds. Gachagua is thus barred from holding any public office forever. However, he can file an appeal against the Senate's decision at the High Court.

Senators voted against the 11 grounds of impeachment separately, electronically.

"Pursuant to Article 145(7) and 151(b)(ii) of the Constitution and Standing Order No. 78(8) of the Senate, the Senate has resolved to remove from office by impeachment Hon. Rigathi Gachagua, the Deputy President of Kenya. Accordingly, Hon. Rigathi Gachagua ceases to hold office," Speaker Kingi ruled.

Gross violation of the Constitution - Yes

53 Senators voted in favour of this ground, 13 objected to it, and zero abstained. 66 Senators voted on this motion.

Undermining President William Ruto and Cabinet - No

28 Senators voted in favour of this ground, 39 objected to it, and zero abstained. 67 Senators voted on this motion.

Gross Violation of Constitution (Devolution) - No

19 Senators voted in favour of this ground, 45 objected to it, and 3 abstained. 67 Senators voted on this motion.

Undermining Institutional and Decisional Independence of Judges - Yes

51 Senators voted in favour of this ground, 16 objected to it, and 0 abstained. 67 Senators voted on this motion.

Gross Violation of the Constitution on Fidelity of the Oath of Office and Allegiance - Yes

49 Senators voted in favour of this ground, 16 objected to it, and 2 abstained. 67 Senators voted on this motion.

Committed Crimes Under Sections 13(1)(a) and 62 of the National Cohesion and Integration Act - Yes 

48 Senators voted in favour of this ground, 18 objected to it, and 1 abstained. 67 Senators voted on this motion.

Committed gross economic crimes contrary to the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act - No

14 Senators voted in favour of this ground, 52 objected to it, and 1 abstained. 67 Senators voted on this motion.

Making inciteful remarks - No

27 Senators voted in favour of this ground, 40 objected to it, and 0 abstained. 67 Senators voted on this motion.

Attacked and undermined the work of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) - Yes 

46 Senators voted in favour of this ground, 20 objected to it, and 1 abstained. 67 Senators voted on this motion.

Gross misconduct or openly insubordinating the President - No

22 Senators voted in favour of this ground, 44 objected to it, and 0 abstained. 66 Senators voted on this motion.

Gross misconduct by persistently bullying State and public officers 

18 Senators voted in favour of this ground, 47 objected to it, and 2 abstained. 67 Senators voted on this motion.

Gachagua was impeached on Tuesday, October 8, by the National Assembly, with 281 MPs voting in favour of a motion tabled by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse.

44 objected and zero abstained.

The resolution was then forwarded to the Senate to either uphold or nullify it.

Gachagua, who fell ill, was unable to defend himself at the Senate. His lawyers, led by Senior Counsel Paul Muite, walked out of the Senate after it declined to adjourn the sittings to Saturday to accord him time to recover and take the stand.

The DP was admitted to the Karen Hospital, with the hospital's Chief Cardiologist, Dr. Dan Gikonyo, stating that he was admitted for chest pains and will remain under observation for at least 48 to 72 hours.

More to follow...