Kenya’s Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, 59, was on Thursday, October 17, impeached despite being admitted to a hospital in the capital, Nairobi. ALSO READ: Gachagua falls ill, takes no stand at Senate but trial continues A day after he had pleaded not guilty to 11 charges, the required two-thirds of the 67 senators – 53 out of 66 – upheld five charges including inciting ethnic divisions and violating his oath of office. Though he was cleared of six charges including corruption and money-laundering, the unprecedented impeachment, it is reported, implies that Gachagua cannot hold public office again and he also loses any exit benefits. On the final day of his impeachment trial at Senate, Gachagua was expected to undergo cross-examination from lawyers representing the National Assembly but his lead counsel, Senior Counsel Paul Muite, told the Senate that Gachagua was taken ill. ALSO READ: Court dismisses deputy president Gachagua case paving way for hearing in Senate Later, Senators voted in favour of continuing the impeachment trial late Thursday without the DP standing to defend himself. Gachagua’s lawyers left the Senate chamber but the process continued. The impeachment hearing began on Wednesday at the Senate after the National Assembly approved the motion last week when an overwhelming majority of MPs in the lower house of parliament voted to impeach him, setting the stage for his trial in the Senate. Gachagua had denied all charges and said the impeachment motion, backed by opposition lawmakers and allies of President William Ruto, was based on falsehoods that constituted a political lynching. The DP can challenge the decision in court. Kenyan media have already been reporting about his possible replacements, with four people mentioned: Murang'a County Governor Irungu Kang'ata Kirinyaga County Governor Anne Waiguru Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi.
