The impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua appears increasingly inevitable, with many signatures already secured. By Friday evening, 241 Members of Parliament had endorsed the motion, surpassing the required one-third threshold of the House’s total membership.
Gachagua’s situation closely mirrors that of Dr Josephat Njuguna Karanja, Kenya’s fifth vice president, who resigned in 1989 after accusations from allies of then-President Daniel Moi that he was undermining the presidency and abusing his authority. The similarities are striking: both men hail from the Mount Kenya region, served under Kalenjin presidents, and rose to the second-highest office after just one term in Parliament. Dr. Karanja resigned after two years as vice president, having briefly served as Mathare MP, succeeding Mwai Kibaki in 1988.
Should Gachagua opt to resign, he would be following in Dr. Karanja’s footsteps. Reports suggest that those pushing for his impeachment aim to collect 300 signatures, with plans to present the motion in Parliament by Tuesday next week unless President William Ruto intervenes to salvage his deputy’s political career.
Initially, Gachagua’s allies dismissed the impeachment effort, doubting its success. However, the situation has evolved, and even the Deputy President’s inner circle has now acknowledged the substantial support behind the motion. Consequently, Gachagua is reportedly reassessing his strategies to counter the growing threat.
Sources indicate that Gachagua is considering resignation, recognizing that impeachment could spell the end of his political ambitions. According to Kenya’s 2010 constitution, an impeached official is barred from holding public office, potentially disqualifying him from running in the 2027 elections. Speculation abounds that Gachagua has already drafted his resignation letter and is awaiting the right moment to submit it to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula and the President’s office.
Political analysts suggest that Gachagua’s recent speech in Nyeri, during the memorial service for the Endarasha Academy victims, might have been a farewell address to the Mount Kenya community. Sources indicate that the Deputy President has been consulting extensively and may be leaning toward resignation if he believes he cannot block the impeachment or secure judicial support.
Proponents of Gachagua’s resignation argue that stepping down would spare him the public humiliation that would likely accompany a heated parliamentary debate. MPs supporting the impeachment are expected to unleash personal attacks and ridicule, potentially turning the debate into an effort to destroy Gachagua’s reputation and political career.
Analysts believe there are concerted efforts to embarrass Gachagua during the debate, focusing on character assassination. The goal is to weaken him politically and make recovery nearly impossible. However, resignation might offer Gachagua an opportunity for a political comeback, possibly as a running mate for Kalonzo Musyoka in 2027 or even as a challenger to President Ruto in the same election.
Interestingly, both President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga have reportedly remained out of the country, seemingly distancing themselves from the unfolding drama surrounding Gachagua’s impeachment.
