KENYAN MPs VOTE TO IMPEACH DEPUTY PRESIDENT

KENYAN MPs VOTE TO IMPEACH DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Kenyan MPs have voted overwhelming in favour of removing the country’s deputy president over accusations of corruption.

Lawmakers also accuse Rigathi Gachagua of practising ethnically divisive politics and undermining the government.

Gachagua denies any wrongdoing in a row that follows his recent fallout with President William Ruto.

On Tuesday evening, Speaker Moses Wetangula announced that 281 MPs had adopted an 11-charge impeachment motion with 44 MPs voting against and one abstaining.

It means Gachagua has become the first Kenyan deputy president to be impeached by the National Assembly – the country’s Senate will decide if he gets ousted.

He is accused of acquiring properties through corrupt means. The vice-president, who is a wealthy businessman, said most of the houses and land belonged to his late brother’s estate.

However, many Kenyan MPs took to the parliamentary floor on Tuesday to tarnish his reputation – and to show they were on President Ruto’s side in this row at the top of government.

The political drama has taken the focus off demands of the largely disgruntled Kenyan public – as they struggle to cope with the high cost of living.

The 59-year-old politician, popularly known as “Riggy G”, has described allegations against him as “outrageous” and “sheer propaganda”.

Political tensions have been running high in the East African country since June when deadly demonstrations erupted over unpopular tax hikes, exposing a deep rift between Ruto and Gachagua. (BBC News)