Kingi swiftly gazettes Gachagua's removal after senators impeach him

No sooner was Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua sent packing by the Senate on Thursday night than his removal was gazetted.

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi gazetted the impeachment barely one hour after the deputy president's removal.

"Pursuant to Articles 145 (7) and 150 (1) (h) and (2) of the Constitution and Standing Order 78 (8) of the Senate Standing Orders, on Thursday, October 17, 2024, the Senate resolved to remove from office by impeachment, His Excellency Rigathi Gachagua, EGH Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya," read a gazette notice signed by the speaker.

The Senate resolved to impeach Gachagua following a two-day hearing that entailed volumes of evidence and hours of cross-examination.

Gachagua, currently admitted to the Karen Hospital, was ousted after senators voted in favour of five of the 11 grounds for his removal.

Fifty-four Senators voted in support of the first count of gross violation of Articles 10, 27, 73, 75, and 129 of the Constitution, while only 13 Senators voted against it.

The third ground of gross violation of Articles 6, 10, 74, 186 and 189 of the Constitution on undermining devolution was backed by 18 legislators against 45 who opposed it.

The fourth ground of gross violation of Article 160 of the Constitution on undermining the institutional and decisional independence of the Judiciary was supported by 51 Senators while 16 voted against it.

The fifth ground of gross violation of Articles 3 and 148 of the Constitution on breach of oath of office and allegiance was supported by 49 Senators while 16 voted against it; two legislators abstained from the vote.

The sixth ground of reasons to believe that Gachagua has committed crimes under Sections 13 (1) (a) and 62 of the National Cohesion and Integration Act was supported by 48 Senators while 18 voted against it and one abstained.

The seventh ground on reasons to believe Gachagua has committed crimes under Sections 45 (1), 46, 47a (3), and 48 (1) of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act and Sections 2, 3, 4, and 7 of the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act was supported by 14 Senators while 52 voted against it and one abstained.

The eighth ground on reasons to believe that Gachagua has committed crimes under Section 132 of the Penal Code and Section 29 of the Leadership and Integrity Act was supported by 27 Senators while 40 voted against it.

Ground nine on gross misconduct touching on public attacks on the National Intelligence Service and its officers was supported by 46 Senators while 20 voted against it and one abstained.

Ground ten on gross misconduct, touching on insubordination was backed by 22 Senators and opposed by 45 others.

The final ground on gross misconduct touching on bullying was supported by 18 Senators and opposed by 47 while two others abstained.