Kenya’s Deputy President Impeached by Senate Over 11 Charges

by Orenge Wycliff

Kenya’s Deputy President Impeached by Senate Over 11 Charges

Nairobi: In a historic decision, Kenya’s Deputy President has been impeached by the Senate following a heated session that saw the upper house uphold the National Assembly’s resolution to remove him from office. The Deputy President faced a total of 11 charges, with the Senate’s vote indicating varying levels of support and opposition across the charges.

The outcome saw mixed reactions among lawmakers. Those who supported the impeachment celebrated the decision as a unifying moment for the country, while the Deputy President’s defenders expressed disappointment and vowed to contest the outcome.

The Senate’s vote breakdown for each charge highlighted the deep divisions within the legislative body:

• Charge 1: Passed with 54 votes in favor and 13 against.
• Charge 2: Rejected with 28 votes in favor and 39 against.
• Charge 3: Rejected with 19 votes in favor and 43 against.
• Charge 4: Passed with 51 votes in favor and 16 against.
• Charge 5: Passed with 49 votes in favor, 16 against, and 2 abstentions.
• Charge 6: Passed with 48 votes in favor, 18 against, and 1 abstention.
• Charge 7: Rejected with 13 votes in favor, 53 against, and 1 abstention.
• Charge 8: Rejected with 27 votes in favor and 40 against.
• Charge 9: Passed with 46 votes in favor, 20 against, and 1 abstention.
• Charge 10: Rejected with 22 votes in favor and 45 against.
• Charge 11: Rejected with 18 votes in favor, 47 against, and 2 abstentions.

The Deputy President’s impeachment marks a significant development in Kenya’s political landscape. While the vote successfully upheld the charges of misconduct, corruption, and abuse of office, the reactions were starkly divided.

Supporters of the impeachment motion, including key government officials and civil society representatives, praised the Senate’s decision as a necessary step towards accountability. “This is a moment to unite Kenya and reaffirm our commitment to the rule of law,” said one senator who voted in favor of the motion. “We must move forward as a country and ensure that those who hold high office adhere to the highest ethical standards.”

In contrast, defenders of the Deputy President expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome, calling the impeachment process unfair and politically motivated. Some legislators accused the government of using the charges as a pretext to eliminate political rivals. “This is not about justice but about settling scores,” one lawmaker remarked, vowing to explore legal options to challenge the impeachment.

With the Deputy President officially removed from office, Kenya’s political future remains uncertain. The impeachment is expected to trigger a series of political realignments as leaders and parties position themselves for the next phase of the country’s governance.

The Senate’s decision has also prompted widespread reactions from the public, with some citizens welcoming the outcome as a sign of progress, while others view it as an unwelcome political shake-up. The coming days will likely see further debate on the implications of the Deputy President’s removal and its impact on Kenya’s democratic processes.