Kenya’s Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been hospitalised, throwing his impeachment trial in uncertainty as the nation closely watched the high-stakes political proceedings.
On Thursday, Gachagua’s lawyer, Paul Muite, informed the Senate that the Deputy President was “very sick” and had been admitted to the hospital. The unexpected development led Senate Speaker Amason Kingi to suspend the session until 5:00pm
“The sad reality is that the deputy president of the Republic of Kenya has been taken sick, very sick, and… he is in hospital,” Muite stated, explaining Gachagua’s absence from the Senate chamber.
Despite Gachagua’s condition, Speaker Kingi emphasised the importance of moving forward with the impeachment trial. “This is a time-bound process, unfortunately. It is so ordered,” Kingi remarked, confirming that the Deputy President was expected to appear at 5:00pm.
The trial, which followed a historic vote by the National Assembly last week, could lead to Gachagua’s removal from office if the Senate votes in favour of impeachment. Gachagua faces 11 charges, including corruption, insubordination, undermining the government, and engaging in ethnically divisive politics. He has denied all allegations, and although no criminal charges have been filed, he would automatically lose his position if the Senate approves the impeachment.
This impeachment marked the first such trial for a deputy president under Kenya’s 2010 constitution. Gachagua, who has described himself as being treated like a “spent cartridge,” is prepared to challenge the decision in court if necessary once the Senate process is concluded.
If ousted, possible successors for Gachagua include Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, and Governor Anne Waiguru, according to local media speculation. His chances of survival appear slim, given the ruling party’s strong backing in the 67-seat Senate, mirroring the National Assembly’s overwhelming vote to impeach him on October 9.
The Deputy President’s impeachment came after a turbulent political period marked by youth-led anti-government protests in June. Gachagua, a prominent businessman from the Kikuyu tribe, has claimed he was sidelined by President William Ruto and accused of supporting the protests against recent tax hikes. The resulting tensions have exposed divisions within Kenya’s leadership.
In a media briefing last week, Gachagua denounced the charges against him as “nonsensical allegations” and described the impeachment as “political deceit, conmanship, and betrayal.” Speaking to supporters in central Kenya on Sunday, he called for peace and urged restraint, regardless of the Senate’s decision. “Let’s preach and maintain peace irrespective of the outcome. Kenya is our country,” he said.
The Deputy President’s lawyers argued that the impeachment process has been unfairly expedited, but a High Court ruling on Wednesday allowed the Senate hearings to proceed. President Ruto has remained silent on the matter, although Gachagua suggested that the process could not have continued without his approval.
