Kenya’s Senate on Wednesday began impeachment hearings against Kenya’s deputy president, Rigathi Gachagua.
A court had said the proceedings were constitutional, clearing the way for a vote on his dismissal this week.
Recall that Kenya’s National Assembly had voted on Tuesday last week to impeach the deputy president, Rigathi Gachagua, on 11 charges which included corruption, undermining the government and stirring ethnic hatred.
Gachagua said that the impeachment motion, backed by opposition lawmakers and allies of President William Ruto, was based on falsehoods that constituted a political lynching, according to court documents seen by Reuters.
As the senate opened proceedings on Wednesday, Gachagua denied the 11 charges read out by senate clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye.
“Not guilty,” Gachagua said in response to each one.
Gachagua had launched a legal challenge against the impeachment proceedings in the high court, but Judge Erick Ogolla said the process could go ahead.
“The process is a lawful, constitutional process,” the judge said in court.
The deputy president was Ruto’s running mate in their 2022 election win, helping secure vital votes from the populous central Kenya region. But the men have since fallen out and political alliances have shifted.
Ruto fired most of his cabinet and appointed members of the opposition to what he called a unity government after nationwide protests against tax increases in which more than 50 people were killed.
During Wednesday’s senate hearing one of Gachagua’s lawyers, Elisha Ongoya, said the allegations against the deputy president were either false, ridiculous or embarrassing.
Lawmaker Mwengi Mutuse, speaking as a witness, accused Gachagua of violating the constitution, including by suggesting that only those who voted for the government would benefit in terms of development and services.
Gachagua is expected to defend himself on Thursday before the vote. A two-thirds majority would be needed to dismiss him.
The court also said it would decide on Oct. 29 whether Ruto can nominate a new deputy if Gachagua is dismissed.
