KEY POINTS
- Kenyan lawmakers plan impeachment of Deputy President Gachagua over claims of undermining the government.
- Tensions between President Ruto and Gachagua have deepened, following deadly protests over tax hikes.
- Gachagua claims that an impeachment attempt requires President Ruto’s approval to proceed.
Kenyan lawmakers are preparing to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of undermining the government. The move reflects a widening rift between President William Ruto and his deputy, adding to the challenges already faced by the administration following months of protests over a disputed finance bill.
Rift widens in Kenyan Government
The majority leader of Kenya’s parliament, Kimani Ichung’wah, confirmed that he had signed the impeachment motion and was fully supporting it to prevent further undermining of the government. “I will support that impeachment motion to stop a process where the government is being sabotaged from within,” he said.
Gachagua, on his part, has denied any wrongdoing, recently stating that the impeachment could not progress without the president’s consent. He accused some parties of attempting to smear his name by linking him to unrest in the country.
The tensions within Kenya’s political leadership have surfaced at a particularly difficult time. In June, protests over a finance bill led to clashes, resulting in the deaths of over 50 people. According to Reuters, the bill, which included tax hikes, sparked significant public outrage, forcing President Ruto to put it on hold and reshuffle his cabinet, dismissing nearly all ministers.
Impeachment motion and political instability
Gachagua, who holds considerable influence in Kenya’s populous central region, has suggested that any effort to unseat him could stir discontent among his supporters, adding to the challenges faced by Ruto’s administration.
“Without the president’s go-ahead, the motion cannot reach parliament,” Gachagua emphasized, underlining his belief that his removal would only be possible with Ruto’s explicit approval.
Gachagua has also recently addressed allegations that he and his associates were involved in causing the unrest, dismissing these accusations as attempts to create a basis for impeachment. His supporters, predominantly from central Kenya, view these moves as part of a broader attempt to weaken the political power base in the region.
Government’s struggle to maintain stability
Since assuming office in 2022, Ruto has faced growing challenges, with the finance bill protests being the most significant. Demonstrators protested not only against the increased taxes but also demanded greater accountability regarding governance and corruption within the government.
To address these challenges, Ruto attempted to broaden his cabinet by appointing four members from the opposition in July.
However, this move faced criticism from activists, who argued that it was merely a political maneuver to co-opt the opposition rather than making any meaningful reforms to meet public expectations.
