Kenya's Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua Impeached Amidst Controversy

In an unprecedented move in Kenyan politics, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been impeached by the Senate while he was being treated in the hospital for chest pains. This decision comes after Gachagua's absence during his impeachment trial, which he was scheduled to attend following allegations of corruption and inciting ethnic divisions. The Senate proceeded with the trial in his absence, and a two-thirds majority voted for his removal from office, raising questions about political loyalty and the future of Kenya’s leadership. Gachagua's impeachment signifies a decisive power consolidation for President William Ruto, amidst a backdrop of recent political strife and public discontent.

Despite the ongoing health concerns, Gachagua's legal representatives have labeled the allegations against him as unfounded and politically motivated. His absence was noted during the crucial Senate proceedings, where his defense team chose to withdraw rather than continue without him. Following the prior impeachment vote by the National Assembly, Gachagua described the entire situation as a "political lynching." His removal comes just over two years after he took office alongside President Ruto, stirring speculation about possible successors and implications for the future political climate in Kenya.