Kenya’s Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, is set to face an impeachment motion, accused of backing anti-government protests in June and being involved in various corruption scandals and other irregularities. Gachagua addressed the accusations for the first time on Monday, stating that he will appear before parliament on Tuesday to defend himself.
In a nationally televised address, Gachagua strongly criticized the legislator responsible for drafting the impeachment motion, calling it “baseless and sensational.” This marked his first detailed public response to the accusations.
The deputy president is scheduled to present his defense in parliament, where he plans to argue his case for two hours. The impeachment process has already sparked clashes between Gachagua’s supporters and detractors during public forums held to gather citizens’ opinions on the matter.
Gachagua defended the wealth listed in the motion, stating that some of the properties in question belonged to his late brother. He also justified the renovations made to his official residence, explaining that it was in dire need of repairs and required significant improvements.
During a prayer gathering at his residence on Sunday, Gachagua asked President William Ruto, members of parliament, and the Kenyan public for forgiveness for any mistakes made during his time in office. However, he clarified on Monday that his apology should not be seen as an admission of guilt and dismissed speculation that he would resign.
The parliamentary debate on the motion is set for Tuesday, followed by a vote. If passed, the motion will proceed to the Senate for further deliberation. Although 291 MPs initially signed the impeachment motion, exceeding the constitutional threshold of 117, some legislators from Gachagua’s home region have since withdrawn their support after receiving feedback from their constituents.
President William Ruto has yet to comment publicly on the impeachment, though he previously stated that he would not subject his deputy to public humiliation, reflecting on his strained relationship with former President Uhuru Kenyatta during their second term in office.