How senators voted on 11 charges against Gachagua

On the night of October 17, 2024, the Kenyan Senate upheld the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, concluding the process by approving five out of the 11 charges brought against him. The decision resulted in Gachagua being officially removed from office. Speaker Amason Kingi confirmed the Senate’s resolution with the statement, “The Senate has resolved to remove from office by impeachment H.E. Rigathi Gachagua, the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya. Accordingly, H.E. Rigathi Gachagua ceases to hold office.”

The upheld charges included Gachagua’s public statements on shareholding, undermining the independence of judges, violating the National Cohesion and Integrity Act, and gross misconduct. The Senate vote, which covered each of the 11 allegations, was decisive in its ruling. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how the senators voted on each charge:

1. Gross Violation of Constitutional Articles 10, 27, 73, 75, and 129:
   • Yes: 54
   • No: 13
   • Abstention: 0
2. Violation of Articles 147 and 152 (1) of the Constitution:
   • Yes: 28
   • No: 39
   • Abstention: 0
3. Undermining Devolution (Articles 6, 10, 174, 186, and 189):
   • Yes: 19
   • No: 45
   • Abstention: 3
4. Undermining the Independence of Judges (Article 160):
   • Yes: 51
   • No: 16
   • Abstention: 0
5. Breach of Oath of Office (Articles 3 and 148):
   • Yes: 49
   • No: 16
   • Abstention: 2
6. Crimes under the National Cohesion and Integration Act:
   • Yes: 48
   • No: 18
   • Abstention: 1
7. Crimes under the Anticorruption and Economic Crimes Act and Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act:
   • Yes: 13
   • No: 53
   • Abstention: 1
8. Crimes under the Penal Code and Leadership and Integrity Act:
   • Yes: 27
   • No: 40
   • Abstention: 0
9. Gross Misconduct (Attacking the National Security Intelligence Service and its Officers):
   • Yes: 46
   • No: 20
   • Abstention: 1
10. Gross Misconduct (Insubordination):
    • Yes: 22
    • No: 44
    • Abstention: 0
11. Gross Misconduct (Bullying):
    • Yes: 18
    • No: 4
    • Abstention: 2

Following the final ruling, Gachagua’s impeachment becomes a significant event in Kenya’s political history, as he is the first deputy president to be removed from office.