Kenya’s Deputy President, Geoffrey Rigathi Gachagua has been removed from office in an impeachment trial on corruption and other allegations.
Kenyan senators voted to remove the Deputy president on Thursday, October 17, 2024 while he was hospitalized.
Earlier, Rigathi Gachagu popularly known as Riggy G who is facing 11 charges was asked by the Senators to appear and defend himself but he failed to show up. All efforts from his Lawyers to postpone the impeachment process and ask their client to appear before the National Assembly to defend himself proved unsuccessful.
Gachagu’s Lawyers requested for another date citing the health condition of their client. According to his Lawyer, Riggy G is suffering from chest pains.
Rigathi Gachagua became the first sitting Deputy President who has been removed on the grounds of corruption and other allegations. Out of the 11 charges, Senators approved 5 against him.
During the voting process, fifty-four (54) Senators voted for the removal of Rigathi Gachagua and thirteen (13) Senators voted against the impeachment process.
Riggy G who has pleaded not guilty to all the 11 charges has earlier said he would appeal if the Senators vote to remove him.
According to reports, one of the following people: Murang’a County Governor Irungu Kang’ata, Kirinyaga County Governor Anne Waiguru, Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki and Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi will replace Rigathi Gachagua.
The unprecedented incident has left many people in shock as this is the first time a sitting Deputy president has been removed from office.
Rigathi Gachagua, the Kenyan politician served as Deputy President of Kenya between 2022 to the next expected election in August 2027.
Source: Elvisanokyenews.com
