In a significant political development, allies of Kenyan President William Ruto have initiated a motion in parliament to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, citing allegations of inciting ethnic hatred and undermining the government. This move highlights an escalating rift between Ruto and Gachagua, which has become increasingly visible in recent days.
The motion, spearheaded by Mwengi Mutuse, a member of Ruto’s coalition, has garnered support from approximately 83% of the 349 lawmakers in the National Assembly, surpassing the one-third majority needed to proceed. If the motion is approved by two-thirds of the lower house, the Senate will be tasked with investigating the charges against Gachagua, allowing him or his representative to respond to the allegations.
Gachagua, who played a crucial role in mobilizing support from the influential Mount Kenya region to help Ruto secure victory in the 2022 elections, claims he has been sidelined and denies accusations that he incited violent protests against the government earlier this year. Following protests in June and July that left over 50 people dead, Ruto appointed members of the main opposition coalition to his government, diminishing Gachagua’s influence.
Parliamentary Speaker Moses Wetang’ula referred to the impeachment motion as an “unprecedented constitutional moment” for Kenya’s democracy, announcing that the lower house would engage in public participation regarding the impeachment process on Friday. Gachagua is expected to be invited to parliament to respond to the charges on October 8.
The motion accuses Gachagua not only of fostering ethnic animosities but also of publicly contradicting Ruto. His comments comparing the government to a company and suggesting that voters from the ruling coalition should have preferential access to public sector jobs and development projects have drawn sharp criticism from within Ruto’s coalition.
Labour Minister Alfred Mutua emphasized the broader implications of the impeachment motion, stating on X, “The curse of Africa has always been tribalism and corruption. This motion … is not about politics but about saving Kenya’s soul.”
As the political drama unfolds, President Ruto has remained silent on the impeachment motion, and his spokesperson was unavailable for comment. Gachagua’s office also did not immediately respond to requests for clarification. The situation continues to develop, with significant implications for the stability of Ruto’s administration and the political landscape in Kenya.
