KEY POINTS
- MP Yusuf Hassan has introduced a motion to impeach Kenya’s Deputy President Gachagua.
- The motion cites allegations of misconduct and political corruption.
- Kenya’s impeachment process requires a two-thirds vote in parliament, and the outcome remains uncertain.
A Kenyan legislator has declared war against the deputy president Rigathi Gachagua by seeking to impeach him, the latest development in Kenyan politics.
Deputy Speaker of the parliament MP Kamukunji Yusuf Hassan moved a motion in the house on Monday based on allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office by the deputy president. The move, however, has been regarded by some as a political strategy between the president William Ruto and his deputy.
Speaker of Parliament Moses Wetang’ula acknowledged receipt of the motion, which will go through a process to establish whether it will be acted on by the legislators. This is the first serious impeachment attempt in the Kenyan government since the beginning of the current government in 2022.
Gachagua, who is known to be a friend of the president Ruto has not come out in the public to respond to the allegations. His office, however, has dismissed the claims as politically motivated attack meant to weaken the deputy president.
Impeachment process in kenya
Impeachment motion in Kenya can only be effected by a vote of not less than two-thirds of the members of the National Assembly. The process starts with the speaker coming to a decision as to the admissibility of the motion.
If it gets approval, it goes to another debate in the lower house of the parliament before a vote is taken. If the motion is passed the Senate will proceed to conduct a trial to determine whether to discharge or dismiss the official from office.
While other attempts that were made to impeach other high ranking officials have not worked, this action by Hassan points to a building dissention amongst factions. There has been growing concern on issues of corruption and poor management of public resources which has fanned the impeachment call on Gachagua.
A nation divided
The impeachment motion has been moved at a time when political tension in Kenya is rising as internal cracks within the ruling coalition have started to emerge. The performance of Ruto and his deputy has however attracted criticism on the functionality of their-working relationship, with some political analysts claiming that the two leaders are on a cooling off period.
Political rivals have also chimed in with some demanding that the claims made by MP Hassan be investigated to the letter while others have dismissed the motion as being politically motivated.
The opposition has been led by veteran politician Raila Odinga and has been vital in checking the executive arm of the government but has been associated with misuse of impeachment process.
Reuters reported that Speaker Wetang’ula said that the motion is at the moment under consideration and will be processed in accordance with the parliamentary rules. He did not say when it might be debated.
Uncertain political future
The fate of this motion is still unknown because the political climate in Kenya has been rather volatile. Should the motion go through, there is likely to be more political uncertainty in a nation that has experienced very close and sometimes violent elections and governmental crises within recent times.
However, most Kenyans expect a solution that will retain stability and order in the government. Some political scientists think that how this process will develop can define the further political situation in Kenya in the coming years.
