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The motion was approved by a 281-44 vote in favor of
impeachment, well above the 117 votes constitutionally required.
The motion now goes to the parliament’s upper house, which will
debate the matter and also hold a vote.
For impeachment to be final, it will need the additional backing
of two thirds of senators in the upper house. It's not clear
when that vote will take place.
Under Kenya's constitution, the removal from office is automatic
if approved by both chambers, though Gachagua can challenge the
action in court — something he has said he would do.
The deputy president is also accused of being involved in
corruption and other irregularities. He denies all the charges
against him.
The debate surrounding his fate has extended beyond parliament —
supporters and opponents of the motion clashed last week in
public forums after the ruling alliance brought the motion
before parliament.
In his speech, Gachagua declared that he was “undergoing a
political process” and asked legislators to make their decision
“without intimidation and coercion.” On Monday, the deputy
president had said he believed the motion had the president’s
blessings.
President William Ruto has yet to publicly comment about the
impeachment but is on record in the earlier days of his
presidency saying he would not publicly humiliate his deputy,
alluding to the troubled relationship he had with his
predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, during their second term in office.
On Sunday during a prayer meeting at his residence, Gachagua
implored Ruto, legislators and Kenyans to forgive him for any
wrongdoing during his tenure. He clarified that statement on
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
listed in the impeachment motion as his belonged to his late
brother. He also defended renovation expenditures for his
official residence, saying it was in a state of disrepair and
needed to be “dignified.”
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