The Senate is set to vote on the impeachment of Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua after the National Assembly passed the impeachment motion on October 8, 2024.

The charges against Gachagua include gross violations of the Constitution, undermining President William Ruto, compromising devolution, and accusations of economic crimes and incitement.

The second in Command has however, denied the accusations, claiming they are malicious and politically motivated.

The Senate is set to deliver its verdict after the second day of the impeachment trial against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, the second-in-command to President William Ruto.

This follows a landmark vote in the National Assembly last week, where Gachagua was impeached on 11 charges.

The Senate trial began on Wednesday after the 59-year-old Deputy President, unsuccessfully attempted several times to stop the proceedings through the courts.

He is scheduled to testify in his defense on Thursday. While Gachagua has denied all allegations against him and faces no criminal charges, his removal from office will be automatic if the Senate upholds his impeachment.

The Senate session will determine whether to appoint a special committee to investigate the charges or proceed with a plenary vote.

Two-Third rule

If two-thirds of the Senate (45 senators) vote to uphold the impeachment, Gachagua will be removed from office.

However, if he can secure at least 23 votes against the motion, he will remain in his position. The proceedings have drawn significant attention due to the high stakes, with key witnesses, including Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, expected to testify against him.

The vote is expected to take place on October 17, 2024, after Gachagua presents his defense and the Senate hears closing arguments from both side.

Gachagua’s chances of avoiding removal appear slim, especially if opposition members in the 67-seat Senate align with the ruling party, as seen during the National Assembly vote on October 9.

If Gachagua is impeached, he would become the first deputy president to be removed through this process since the 2010 constitution introduced impeachment in Kenya.

Despite describing himself as being treated like a “spent cartridge,” Gachagua retains the option to challenge the impeachment in court once the parliamentary process concludes.

Nevertheless, Gachagua has urged his supporters and Kenyans to remain calm as the impeachment process continue.

“Let’s preach and maintain peace irrespective of the outcome. Kenya is our country,” he said addressing the church goers on last Sunday in Central Kenya.

Despite all these, President William Ruto hasn’t commented on the his deputy’s Impeachment since its inception.

Even though, Gachagua has suggested that the impeachment process could not have moved forward without the approval of President William Ruto.

Follow kenyaonline.xyz