Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was impeached by the National Assembly on Tuesday, October 8, following a motion tabled by Kibwezi West MP Mutuse Mwengi. The motion, which listed 11 charges against Gachagua, accused him of money laundering, gross misconduct, and the illegal acquisition of wealth valued at KSh 5.2 billion over the past two years.
During the impeachment session, which commenced in the morning, MP Mutuse Mwengi delivered an opening statement detailing the allegations. Following this, MPs engaged in a heated debate, with the majority expressing strong support for the impeachment, citing concerns about transparency and accountability in the Deputy President’s office.
At 5 PM, Gachagua was given the opportunity to defend himself. In a two-hour speech, he firmly denied any wrongdoing and emphasized his contributions to various government initiatives during his tenure. Gachagua particularly addressed allegations about his ownership of several properties, including Olive Gardens Hotel, Vipingo Beach Resort in Kilifi, and Queens Gate Serviced Apartments.
He clarified that Olive Gardens Hotel and Vipingo Beach Resort belonged to his late brother, Hon. James Nderitu Gachagua, and were part of his brother’s estate. Gachagua also refuted claims that he owned Queens Gate Serviced Apartments, explaining that the property had been sold to Cooperative Bank of Kenya Limited’s Staff Retirement Benefits Scheme in 2022.
Despite his defense, the majority of MPs voted in favor of the impeachment. The motion passed with 281 members supporting the impeachment, 44 opposing, and one member absent. The motion will now move to the Senate for further consideration.
If more than two-thirds of the Senate—45 out of 67 members—vote to uphold the impeachment, Gachagua will be removed from office.
