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Kenyan MPs to vote on deputy president's impeachment Kenyan MPs vote to impeach deputy president
(about 8 hours later)
Rigathi Gachagua is reported to have hired about 20 lawyers to defend him against the impeachment motion Rigathi Gachagua has described allegations against him as "outrageous" and "sheer propaganda"
Kenyan MPs are due to vote on whether to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in a political row that has gripped the nation following his recent fallout with President William Ruto. Kenyan MPs have voted overwhelming in favour of removing the country's deputy president over accusations of corruption.
The lawmakers accuse Gachagua of corruption, practising ethnically divisive politics and undermining the government, among a host of other charges. Lawmakers also accuse Rigathi Gachagua of practising ethnically divisive politics and undermining the government.
The 59-year-old politician, popularly known as “Riggy G”, has described the allegations against him as "outrageous" and "sheer propaganda", maintaining they are part of a plot to hound him out of office. Gachagua denies any wrongdoing in a row that follows his recent fallout with President William Ruto.
He is expected to appear before parliament to defend himself before the vote, after which impeachment proceedings will move to the Senate. On Tuesday evening, Speaker Moses Wetangula announced that 281 MPs had adopted an 11-charge impeachment motion with 44 MPs voting against and one abstaining.
It means Gachagua has become the first Kenyan deputy president to be impeached by the National Assembly - the country's Senate will decide if he gets ousted.
He is accused of acquiring properties through corrupt means. The vice-president, who is a wealthy businessman, said most of the houses and land belonged to his late brother's estate.
However, many Kenyan MPs took to the parliamentary floor on Tuesday to tarnish his reputation - and to show they were on President Ruto's side in this row at the top of government.
The political drama has taken the focus off demands of the largely disgruntled Kenyan public - as they struggle to cope with the high cost of living.
The 59-year-old politician, popularly known as “Riggy G”, has described allegations against him as "outrageous" and "sheer propaganda".
Political tensions have been running high in the East African country since June when deadly demonstrations erupted over unpopular tax hikes, exposing a deep rift between Ruto and Gachagua.Political tensions have been running high in the East African country since June when deadly demonstrations erupted over unpopular tax hikes, exposing a deep rift between Ruto and Gachagua.
Blunt and bold - Kenya's 'truth speaker' faces the sackBlunt and bold - Kenya's 'truth speaker' faces the sack
Behind the fallout between Kenya's president and his deputyBehind the fallout between Kenya's president and his deputy
Batons, tear gas, live fire - Kenyans face police brutalityBatons, tear gas, live fire - Kenyans face police brutality
Ruto sacked most of his cabinet and brought in members of the main opposition following the anti-tax protests, in which more than 50 people were killed.Ruto sacked most of his cabinet and brought in members of the main opposition following the anti-tax protests, in which more than 50 people were killed.
Several MPs allied to Gachagua were summoned by police last month, accused of funding the protests - though no charges were brought.Several MPs allied to Gachagua were summoned by police last month, accused of funding the protests - though no charges were brought.
Ahead of the vote, security has been heightened in the capital, Nairobi, with police patrols and major roads leading to parliament blocked to the public. Ahead of the vote, security was heightened in the capital, Nairobi, with police patrols and major roads leading to parliament blocked to the public.
About 20 lawyers have been hired to defend Gachagua against the impeachment motion, local media reports. About 20 lawyers were hired to defend Gachagua against the impeachment motion, local media reported.
A total of 291 MPs, more than the 117 required by the constitution, signed the motion to initiate the impeachment process last week.A total of 291 MPs, more than the 117 required by the constitution, signed the motion to initiate the impeachment process last week.
Gachagua has failed in numerous court bids to stop the proceedings going ahead. Gachagua failed in numerous court bids to stop the proceedings going ahead.
In a televised speech on Monday, Gachagua accused Mwengi Mutuse, the MP who drafted the motion, of lying, calling it “shameful and sensational”. In a televised speech on Monday, he condemned Mwengi Mutuse, the MP who drafted the motion, calling the move “shameful and sensational”.
The motion lists 11 grounds for impeachment, including accusations that Gachagua amassed assets worth 5.2bn Kenyan shillings ($40m, £31m) in two years in unexplained wealth.The motion lists 11 grounds for impeachment, including accusations that Gachagua amassed assets worth 5.2bn Kenyan shillings ($40m, £31m) in two years in unexplained wealth.
"I am innocent of all these charges," Gachagua said."I am innocent of all these charges," Gachagua said.
"I have no intention whatsoever to resign from this job. I will fight to the end.""I have no intention whatsoever to resign from this job. I will fight to the end."
The deputy president said some of the properties listed in the motion belonged to his late brother. He defended the controversial renovation for his official residence in the capital.
He also defended the controversial renovation for his official residence in the capital.
When big decisions are to be taken by MPs, the constitution stipulates that the public must be consulted first.When big decisions are to be taken by MPs, the constitution stipulates that the public must be consulted first.
According to a parliamentary report, more than 200,000 responses were received as part of that process - of which 65% supported Gachagua's impeachment, while nearly 34% opposed it.According to a parliamentary report, more than 200,000 responses were received as part of that process - of which 65% supported Gachagua's impeachment, while nearly 34% opposed it.
On Sunday, Gachagua appealed to Ruto and the MPs to forgive him for any wrongdoing during his tenure. He later clarified that his apology was not an admission of guilt. On Sunday, Gachagua appealed to Ruto and MPs to forgive him for any wrongdoing during his tenure. He later clarified that his apology was not an admission of guilt.
Ruto is yet to comment about the impeachment motion publicly, but he is on record in the early days of his presidency as saying that he would never publicly humiliate his deputy.Ruto is yet to comment about the impeachment motion publicly, but he is on record in the early days of his presidency as saying that he would never publicly humiliate his deputy.
For the motion to pass, it requires the support of at least two-thirds of members of the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament.
It is expected to sail through given that the main opposition has now joined forces with the president's party.
Gachagua, a wealthy businessman from the vote-rich Mount Kenya region, battled previous corruption scandals to become Ruto's running mate in a closely fought election in August 2022.Gachagua, a wealthy businessman from the vote-rich Mount Kenya region, battled previous corruption scandals to become Ruto's running mate in a closely fought election in August 2022.
He is from the Kikuyu community, the country’s largest ethnic group, while President Ruto is a Kalenjin, an ethnic group which mainly lives in the Rift Valley.He is from the Kikuyu community, the country’s largest ethnic group, while President Ruto is a Kalenjin, an ethnic group which mainly lives in the Rift Valley.
These two communities were at loggerheads after elections in 2007 - ethnic violence in which 1,200 people died nationwide.These two communities were at loggerheads after elections in 2007 - ethnic violence in which 1,200 people died nationwide.
If the Senate backs the motion too, Gachagua would become the first deputy president to be impeached under the constitution adopted in 2010.
In 1989, then Vice-President Josephat Karanja resigned from office when he faced a similar motion.In 1989, then Vice-President Josephat Karanja resigned from office when he faced a similar motion.
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