In a stark change of tone, embattled Kenyan Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua made an apology to President Ruto ahead of impeachment proceedings against him in Parliament on Tuesday. Gachagua’s tenure as Kenya’s VP is under heated attack, as 291 MPs supported a motion to have him impeached on 11 grounds, among them unlawfully acquiring KES 5.2 billion since ascending to office 2 years ago.
In his defense, Gachagua alleged that some of the properties quoted in the impeachment motion belonged to his late brother, former Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua and that he was one of the executors of the late governor’s will.
Gachagua’s Looming Impeachment
Kenyan MPs will debate the impeachment motion this coming Tuesday and vote on whether to impeach Gachagua. The VP will, however, be given a chance to defend himself, either in person or via a representative. The hearing follows two days of a public participation exercise, that saw a part of the Kenyan population decry that the impeachment is not a priority, at a time the country is facing a growing cost of living crisis.
Alex: Wabunge wamewekeza nguvu kumtimua Naibu Rais Gachagua, lakini ombi langu ni kwamba wawekeze nguvu hizo katika masuala yanayowahusu Wakenya kama vile taizo la Adani na sekta ya afya #GachaguaImpeachment pic.twitter.com/pkNDjCS59b
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) October 4, 2024
The VP’s Defense Strategy
In preparation, Gachagua has assembled a team of 20 lawyers to defend him against the motion, led by Senior Counsel Paul Muite. Gachagua’s law team is expected to lean on the process of the impeachment proceedings and decry a lack of constitutionalism in the way the impeachment is being conducted.
Members of the law team said that the public participation exercise out to be accorded a sufficient notice period of at least 4 to 7 days; as opposed to just the single day notice given. The exercise had been first conducted last Friday but a few citizens went to court and won a prayer to have it extended. The High Court extended it for another day which was Saturday last week. Interestingly, Kenyans were adamant that the president should join his deputy.
Kufa dereva, Kufa makanga pic.twitter.com/fcs4bn8IJY
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) October 5, 2024
‘Cards Under the Table’
President Ruto is believed to be behind the push to impeach Gachagua, even as he has remained quiet on the issue. Gachagua also apologized to the president on behalf of his spouse, saying that if her activities as part of her “boychild” initiative have wronged him, then he should “find it in his heart” to forgive them. Things look bleak for Gachagua, especially since figures like Nairobi Governor, Johnson Sakaja, pulled a punch back at him in the motion.
Catch this and more updates on Gachagua’s impeachment in our Gachagua impeachment series.
