NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenyan lawmakers on Tuesday approved a motion to impeach the country’s vice president, after daylong discussions and after Rigathi Gachagua appeared in parliament to defend himself against several charges, including allegations that he anti-government protests in June.
The motion passed in favor of impeachment by a vote of 281 to 44, well above the 117 votes constitutionally required. The motion now goes to the Upper House of Parliament, which will debate and also vote on the issue.
For the impeachment to be final, it will need the additional support of two-thirds of the senators in the House of Lords. It is not clear when that vote will take place.
Under Kenya’s constitution, the dismissal is automatic if approved by both chambers, although Gachagua can challenge the action in court — something he has said he would do.
The vice president is also accused of involvement in corruption and other irregularities. He denies all charges against him.
The debate over his fate extends beyond parliament – supporters and opponents of the motion clashed in public forums last week after the ruling alliance tabled the motion in parliament.
In his speech, Gachagua stated that he was “undergoing a political process” and asked lawmakers to make their decision “without intimidation and coercion.” On Monday, the vice president had said he believed the motion had the president’s blessings.
President William Ruto has not yet publicly commented on the impeachment, but stated in the early days of his presidency that he would not publicly humiliate his deputy, citing the difficult relationship he had with his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, during their second term . office.
On Sunday, Gachagua, at a prayer meeting in his hometown, implored Ruto, lawmakers and Kenyans to forgive him for all misdeeds during his tenure. He clarified that statement Monday, saying it was not an admission of guilt and dismissed rumors that he would resign.
Gachagua told lawmakers Tuesday that some of the properties mentioned in the impeachment motion belonged to his late brother. He also defended the renovation costs of his official residence, saying it was in a state of disrepair and needed to be made ‘dignified’.
