Kenyan Court Declares Impeachment of Deputy President Gachagua Constitutional
A Kenyan court has ruled that impeachment proceedings against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua are constitutional. Following a vote by the National Assembly, Gachagua faces allegations of corruption and abuse of office. If removed, he would be the first Deputy President in Kenya to be impeached under the current constitution.
The Kenyan legal system has deemed the impeachment proceedings against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to be constitutional, paving the way for the Senate to commence deliberations. This ruling followed a significant vote in the National Assembly, where lawmakers supported the impeachment based on eleven charges, including allegations of corruption, undermining government authority, and inciting ethnic tensions. Deputy President Gachagua has categorically denied all allegations, labelling the impeachment effort as politically motivated, particularly asserting that it constitutes a political lynching orchestrated by opposition factions and some allies of President William Ruto. Despite Gachagua’s appeal to the High Court, Judge Eric Ogola remarked that the impeachment process is legitimate, asserting, “At this stage, the process is a lawful, constitutional process, and the Senate will conduct a trial where all the issues being raised before the court will be raised and determined at the moment.” A decision regarding Gachagua’s fate in the Senate is anticipated soon, with a two-thirds majority required for his removal. If he is ousted, he would be the first Deputy President in Kenya to face impeachment under the current constitutional framework established in 2010. Gachagua, an influential businessman from the Kikuyu community, has survived past corruption scandals and was instrumental in securing critical electoral support for President Ruto during the tightly contested August 2022 elections. However, tensions have risen between Gachagua and Ruto, particularly as Gachagua has expressed concerns of being marginalized within the administration. The backdrop to this political turbulence includes youth-led protests against governmental tax increases, which resulted in significant tumult and casualties, prompting Ruto to restructure his cabinet and reach out to opposition figures to create a purportedly unified government.
The impeachment proceedings against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua represent a significant development in Kenyan politics, particularly within the context of the nation’s post-2010 constitutional framework. The original constitution allowed for greater accountability within the political sphere, allowing legislative actions against high-ranking officials accused of misconduct. Gachagua’s position as Deputy President has been marred by controversy, especially allegations involving abuse of office and corrupt practices. The political landscape in Kenya has been characterized by shifting alliances and increasing tensions, particularly following protests against tax increases that have revealed underlying divisions in governance.
In summary, the recent court ruling affirming the constitutionality of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment proceedings marks a pivotal juncture in Kenyan political affairs. As the Senate prepares to deliberate on the charges against him, the outcome of this process could redefine the political dynamics within the government and potentially set a precedent for future accountability measures against high-ranking officials. The interplay of political loyalties and public sentiment in the face of corruption allegations remains a critical factor as the situation unfolds.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
