The National Assembly has impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, in a vote that saw majority of Members of Parliament support the ouster motion.
The Special Motion to remove DP Gachagua from office by Impeachment received majority support, with 282 MPs voting in its favour.
Only 44 lawmakers opposed the motion sponsored by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse while one legislator abstained.
While communicating to the House after the results of the votes were announced, National Assembly Speaker Moses Masika Wetang’ula said the impeachment motion had garnered the support of at least Two-Thirds of the House and therefore DP Gachagua stood impeached.
The National Assembly comprises 349 Members, including 290 elected from constituencies, 47 women elected from counties, and 12 nominated representatives. Consequently, a two-thirds majority equates to 233 votes.
What next after MPs impeached Gachagua?
Wetangula said he will notify the Speaker of the Senate of the decision of the House within two days, as stipulated in Article 145 (2)(a) of the Constitution.
Article 145 (2)(b) further clarifies that the Deputy President will continue to perform his duties pending the outcome of the proceedings.
Following receipt of the resolution notice from the National Assembly, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi is required to convene a Senate meeting within seven days to consider the charges against the DP.
As outlined in Article 145 (3)(b), the Senate may establish a Special Committee of 11 Members to investigate the allegations within this seven-day timeframe.
Articles 145 (4)(a) and (b) mandate that this Committee report its findings to the Senate within 10 days.
How many Senators need to support impeachment motion?
If at least Two-Thirds of the Senate Members—comprising 67 total, including 47 elected and 20 nominated—vote to uphold any impeachment charges, the Deputy President shall cease to hold office, as specified in Article 145 (7).
This means that a minimum of 45 senators must support the Motion to remove the Deputy President from office.
