Kenyan Deputy President Faces Impeachment Verdict

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua undergoes impeachment trial on charges including corruption and incitement, escalating political tensions in a divided Kenya.

The impeachment trial of Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua commenced in the Senate, following the National Assembly's decisive move to remove him from office. Charged with corruption, inciting ethnic divisions, and undermining government authority—allegations he vehemently denies—Gachagua's case emerges amid a high-profile rift with President William Ruto. Eschewing a committee investigation, the Senate opted for a full-house trial, signaling a straightforward but intense process. Proceedings opened with charges and statements, while evidence and witness testimonies would follow. Analysts predict support from ruling and opposition senators could seal Gachagua’s political fate. Despite dozens of legal challenges, the courts have mandated the trial's continuation. Gachagua stands accused of improperly amassing assets worth billions, a charge tied to his family's estate. His rapid political ascent, marred by corruption allegations, draws widespread attention, with many Kenyans viewing the trial as a diversion from pressing economic woes. Protests over tax rises have spotlighted the schism between the deputy president and the presidency. Should he be impeached, Gachagua faces a lifetime ban from public office but is expected to challenge the verdict legally.