Julius OkorieFormer Deputy President of Kenya Rigathi Gachagua is stable but will require some days of observation after his shock impeachment following overwhelming vote by the Senate in the East African country.
The Senate voted to remove Gachagua after finding him guilty of five out of eleven charges, despite his absence from the proceedings due to hospitalization.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelGachagua’s impeachment unfolded dramatically after he was rushed to Karen Hospital with chest pains just before the Senate proceedings.
His legal team’s appeal for a postponement was denied, leading to their walkout in protest. Gachagua’s condition has been described as stable, and he is expected to remain hospitalized for tests and observation for 48 to 72 hours.
This impeachment is the culmination of bitter fallout between Gachagua and President Ruto, who had relied on Gachagua’s support to secure victory in the Mount Kenya region during the last elections.
While family, well-wishers and supporters of ex-deputy Gachagua are hoping for best and praying for quick recovery, there is certainly no room for a vacuum in the constituition as President Ruto has since nominated current interior minister Kithuri Kindiki as replacement.
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The political drama continued on Friday as National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetangula announced Kindiki’s nomination and urged parliamentarians to proceed with the vote for confirmation.
Kindiki, a 52-year-old academic turned political heavyweight, had been seen as a frontrunner for the deputy role following media speculations.
During his tenure as interior minister, Kindiki faced criticism over alleged police brutality during anti-government protests earlier this year, which resulted in fatalities. His appointment to the deputy position comes amidst a backdrop of political tension and public scrutiny.
Meanwhile the dramatic political shift has captivated the nation, which is often regarded as a stable democracy in the turbulent East African region.
The impeachment of Gachagua, Ruto’s running mate in the closely contested 2022 election, marks a significant moment in Kenyan politics as he becomes the first deputy president to be impeached under the revised 2010 constitution.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
