By Andrew Wasike
NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) - The Kenyan Senate will officially begin its impeachment hearings for Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua next week, its speaker said on Wednesday.
Amason Kingi confirmed that the upper house will hear the case next Wednesday and Thursday, as it deliberates on the charges brought forward following a decisive vote in the National Assembly.
“As this matter comes before you, I cannot underscore enough the immense public interest that this matter has elicited and for good reason, this is yet another opportunity for the Senate to demonstrate its fidelity to the Constitution and to live up to its reputation,” Kingi said.
The remarks come a day after Gachagua was impeached by the National Assembly, where 281 MPs voted in favor of the motion that accused him of gross misconduct, corruption, and constitutional violations.
The impeachment motion, spearheaded by Kibwezi West lawmaker Mwengi Mutuse, alleges that Gachagua undermined the president’s administration through unilateral public statements, and unlawfully acquired public assets.
If the Senate upholds the impeachment, Gachagua would be the first Kenyan deputy president to be removed from office under the 2010 Constitution.
A two-thirds majority vote from the senators is required to finalize his removal from office.