Kenya’s deputy president faces impeachment amid political crisis

Kenya’s Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, is confronting an impeachment vote in parliament, revealing widening rifts within the ruling party.

The vote, scheduled for Tuesday, follows accusations from lawmakers who claim the 59-year-old is involved in corruption, undermining the government, and fostering ethnic divisions.

At a press briefing on Monday, Gachagua dismissed the allegations as “outrageous” and “sheer propaganda,” asserting that they were part of a broader conspiracy to remove him from power.

“This is a scheme to hound me out of office,” he stated, pushing back against what he described as politically motivated attacks.

Gachagua, a businessman and prominent member of Kenya’s largest ethnic group, the Kikuyu, has faced past corruption scandals but managed to ascend to the position of deputy president alongside President William Ruto in the 2022 election.

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However, tensions between the two leaders have recently come to a head, with Gachagua accusing Ruto of sidelining him.

The strained relationship has further been complicated by Gachagua’s alleged links to youth-led protests that erupted in June in response to tax increases.

The protests, which at times turned violent, have heightened political tensions, with some lawmakers loyal to Gachagua being questioned by police for allegedly funding the demonstrations.

While no formal charges have been brought against Gachagua, parliament has cited 11 reasons for his impeachment, including allegations of accumulating assets worth 5.2 billion shillings (around $40 million) since the last election, despite an official salary of $93,000 annually.

His reported assets include the historic Treetops Hotel, where then-Princess Elizabeth stayed before becoming queen.

Gachagua has defended his wealth, attributing it to legitimate business activities and inheritance from his late brother.

He warned that removing him from office could incite unrest among his supporters, raising concerns about the potential for further political instability in Kenya.

As the impeachment vote looms, the future of Gachagua’s political career hangs in the balance, with the outcome set to shape the country’s already volatile political landscape.