Deputy President of Kenya Defends Against Impeachment, Claims Political Vendetta

Facing impeachment, Kenya’s Deputy President argues his case, claiming political motivations are behind the charges, as the nation watches closely.

Kenya’s Deputy President, who is facing an impeachment motion for allegedly backing anti-government protests in June and being implicated in corruption and other irregularities, has defended himself. He has confirmed that he will appear before parliament on Tuesday.

In a televised speech on Monday, Rigathi Gachagua criticized the legislator responsible for drafting the motion, accusing them of lying and describing their actions as “shameful and sensational.” This marks his first detailed public response to the issues raised by the legislator.

The deputy president is scheduled to appear before parliament on Tuesday afternoon, where he stated he plans to “present my defense for two hours.”

On Friday, public forums saw tensions rise as supporters and opponents of Gachagua came into conflict while filling out participation forms.

The deputy president justified his accumulation of wealth by stating that some properties mentioned in the impeachment motion were actually owned by his late brother. He also explained the renovation expenses for his official residence, arguing it was necessary to “dignify” the place as it had been in a state of disrepair.

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During a prayer meeting at his residence on Sunday, he asked President William Ruto, legislators, and the people of Kenya to forgive him for any mistakes made during his tenure.

He clarified on Monday that his apology did not signify an admission of guilt and dismissed rumors about his potential resignation.

Lawmakers are anticipated to discuss the motion on Tuesday and subsequently conduct a vote before it advances to the Senate.

A total of 291 legislators, exceeding the constitutional requirement of 117 signatures, initially supported the impeachment motion before its introduction. However, several lawmakers from the deputy president’s region have since withdrawn their support after receiving differing opinions from their constituents.

Ruto has not made any public comments about the impeachment, but earlier in his presidency, he stated that he would avoid publicly humiliating his deputy. This remark hints at the strained relationship he experienced with his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, during their second term in office.