Impeachment proceedings against Kenyan deputy president are constitutional

16/10/2024 17:01

        Impeachment proceedings against Kenya's deputy president are constitutional, a court said on Wednesday, clearing the way for the Senate to hold hearings and vote on his dismissal this week.
        
        Kenya's National Assembly voted on Tuesday last week to impeach the deputy president, Rigathi Gachagua, on 11 charges which included corruption, undermining the government and stirring ethnic hatred. Gachagua has denied all charges.
        
        Gachagua has said the impeachment motion, backed by opposition lawmakers and allies of President William Ruto, was based on falsehoods that constituted a political lynching, according to court documents seen by Reuters.
        
        He launched an appeal in the high court, but Judge Erick Ogolla said the process could go ahead.
        
        "At this stage, the process is a lawful, constitutional process, and the Senate will conduct a trial where all the issues being raised before the court will be raised and determined at the moment," the judge said in court.