Kenyan lawmakers are set to initiate impeachment proceedings against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua , accusing him of undermining the government, according to the parliament’s majority leader. This action underscores the growing rift between President William Ruto and his deputy, amid ongoing governmental challenges following months of violent protests over a contentious finance bill, which Ruto was forced to withdraw in June, along with the dismissal of nearly his entire cabinet.
“It is true there is an impeachment motion against the deputy president, and as the member of parliament for Kikuyu, I have already appended my signature to it,” stated majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah on Sunday.
“I will support that impeachment motion to stop a process where government is being undermined and sabotaged from within government.”
Efforts to reach Gachagua’s spokespersons for comment on Monday went unanswered.
Recently, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua expressed feelings of being marginalized and dismissed allegations connecting him and his associates to the unrest.
He described these accusations as “a futile attempt to soil my name and hopefully create grounds for the mooted impeachment proceedings against me”.
On Sunday, he emphasised that any impeachment motion would need President William Ruto’s approval, stating, “Without the president’s go-ahead, the motion cannot reach parliament. If it reaches parliament, it is the president who has authorised it.”
Gachagua has significant backing in Kenya’s central region, and attempts to remove him could incite unrest, complicating matters for President Ruto.
The protests against the controversial financing legislation resulted in over 50 fatalities, marking Ruto’s most significant challenge since assuming office in 2022.
Demonstrators opposed the proposed tax increases in the bill and called for action against corruption and mismanagement.
In a significant cabinet reshuffle, Ruto appointed four members from the main opposition party to create a “broad-based” government in July.
However, activists criticised this move, arguing that it continues the practice of leaders co-opting the opposition rather than implementing the comprehensive reforms that citizens are calling for.
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