Kenyan President William Ruto nominated Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki as the country’s new Deputy President on Friday, October 18, following the ousting of Rigathi Gachagua. The former deputy president was impeached on Thursday in a political saga that has captured the attention of the nation.
Gachagua, 59, widely known as “Riggy G,” became the first deputy president in Kenya’s history to be removed through impeachment since the 2010 constitution was revised. The Senate voted to remove him on five out of 11 charges, a decision that followed a similar overwhelming vote by the National Assembly the previous week.
The day of his impeachment was full of tension, with Gachagua failing to appear in parliament to defend himself, citing severe chest pains that landed him in a Nairobi hospital. Despite his absence, the Senate proceeded with the vote.
Speaker of the Senate, Amason Kingi announced, “The Senate has resolved to remove from office, by impeachment, his excellency Rigathi Gachagua, the deputy president of the Republic of Kenya.” Gachagua was found guilty of “gross violation” of the constitution, including threats against judges and engaging in ethnically divisive politics, but was cleared of charges like corruption and money laundering.
Speaker Moses Wetang’ula also addressed Parliament, announcing, “I have received a message from the president regarding the nomination of Professor Kithure Kindiki to fill the vacancy in the office.” Parliament soon voted to approve Kindiki’s appointment, solidifying his new role as the Deputy President.
Historic Political Fallout
Gachagua’s impeachment marks the culmination of a deep rift between him and President Ruto, a man he once fiercely supported. Gachagua played a key role in Ruto’s 2022 election victory by garnering votes from the influential Mount Kenya region.
However, their relationship soured in recent months, with Gachagua accusing the President of sidelining him and even suggesting Ruto was behind the impeachment.
“This is what we call political deceit, conmanship, and betrayal,” Gachagua remarked during the impeachment process, insisting that it undermined the will of Kenyans who voted for the Ruto-Gachagua ticket. He vowed to fight the charges in court.
Gachagua’s lawyers walked out of the Senate hearing in protest, arguing that his right to testify had been violated when the Senate refused to postpone the proceedings due to his illness.
“He came in with a lot of chest pain,” said Karen Hospital’s chief cardiologist, Dan Gikonyo, adding that Gachagua would remain under observation for 48 to 72 hours. Despite his health concerns, the Senate continued, sparking criticism of the process.
Ruto Faces Challenges Ahead
Rigathi Gachagua, a wealthy businessman from the Kikuyu tribe, had already survived several corruption scandals before becoming deputy president. However, his recent support for youth-led anti-government protests over tax hikes, which erupted in June, may have sealed his fate.
While President Ruto has remained silent on the impeachment, Gachagua insisted that the process could not have moved forward without the president’s backing. The political drama has created a precarious situation for Ruto, who now faces the challenge of uniting a divided government.
As Kenya braces for the next phase of its political journey, Gachagua urged his supporters to remain peaceful. Addressing a congregation in his Mount Kenya stronghold shortly before his impeachment, he said, “Let’s preach and maintain peace irrespective of the outcome. Kenya is our country.”
As such, With Ruto’s swift nomination of Kindiki, the new deputy president would have to navigate a turbulent political landscape as the country stabilizes after one of the most dramatic political falls in Kenyan history.
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