Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of Kenya has pleaded not guilty in his Senate impeachment trial, facing charges that could affect his political future. The trial continues to draw national attention.

Rigathi Gachagua, who is facing impeachment, pleaded not guilty during a Senate hearing on Wednesday (October 16) to all charges against him. These include allegations of corruption, inciting ethnic divisions, and supporting historic anti-government protests.

Gachagua’s legal team has Wednesday, October 16, and Thursday, October 17 to cross-examine witnesses. The Senate will cast its vote on Thursday evening.

This week’s court decisions permitted the parliament and senate to move forward with the impeachment debate, even though there were objections about irregularities from the deputy president’s lawyers.

READ ALSO: VP Gachagua’s Impeachment Backed by Kenya’s National Assembly

The politician, aged 59, has described the allegations as being driven by political motives.

In early October, public forums witnessed clashes between his supporters and opponents regarding the impeachment motion against him, which had been introduced in parliament by the ruling alliance.

The case underscores the tension between Gachagua and President William Ruto—a situation that Ruto had previously promised to avoid, given his past challenging relationship as deputy under former Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta.

Gachagua might become the first deputy president in Kenya’s history to be impeached while still holding office.