Gachagua seeks solace from the Bible after impeachment

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua [Facebook]

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua posted Bible verses on X moments after his impeachment, sharing his message with his followers barely an hour after the parliamentary vote.

On Tuesday, October 8,  281 Members of Parliament voted to impeach Gachagua on 11 counts of gross misconduct, marking the first time a deputy president has been impeached under Kenya's 2010 Constitution.

Forty-four MPs opposed the motion, while one abstained.

Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse tabled the impeachment motion, accusing Gachagua of money laundering and using his position to award government tenders to his companies.

Mutuse said Gachagua’s influence enabled him to amass substantial wealth through lucrative government contracts in just two years.

Gachagua had put up a defence against the accusations but failed to sway the August house.

In his X post, Gachagua cited Jeremiah 30:19, writing, “From them will come songs of thanksgiving and the sound of rejoicing. I will add to their numbers, and they will not be decreased; I will bring them honour, and they will not be disdained."

He also quoted 1 Thessalonians 5:18, adding, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Senate special sitting

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi on Wednesday October 9, 2024,  gazetted a special sitting to hear the impeachment charges against Gachagua.

This follows his impeachment by the National Assembly on Tuesday evening, where 281 Members of Parliament (MPs) voted in favour of his removal.

“I appoint the sitting of the Senate of Wednesday, 9th October 2024, at 9:30 a.m. as the sitting convened for the purpose of hearing the charges in the matter of the proposed removal from office, by impeachment, of His Excellency Rigathi Gachagua, E.G.H., Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya,” stated Kingi in the gazette notice.

As per Article 145 of the Constitution, the Senate will then appoint a special committee of eleven members to investigate the matter.

During the investigation, Gachagua will have the right to appear and be represented before the special committee.

The committee is required to report to the Senate within ten days, indicating whether the allegations against the Deputy President are substantiated.

If the charges are not substantiated, no further action will be taken. However, if they are substantiated, the Senate will vote on the impeachment charges after giving Gachagua an opportunity to be heard.

If at least two-thirds of all Senate members vote to uphold any impeachment charge, the Deputy President will cease to hold office.