KENYAN Lawmakers have voted overwhelming in favour of removing the country’s deputy president over accusations of corruption.
Lawmakers also accuse Rigathi Gachagua of practising ethnically divisive politics and undermining the government.
Gachagua denies any wrongdoing in a row that follows his recent fallout with President William Ruto.
On Tuesday evening, Speaker Moses Wetangula announced that 281 MPs had adopted an 11-charge impeachment motion with 44 MPs voting against and one abstaining.
It means Gachagua has become the first Kenyan deputy president to be impeached by the National Assembly – the country’s Senate will decide if he gets ousted.
He is accused of acquiring properties through corrupt means. The vice-president, who is a wealthy businessman, said most of the houses and land belonged to his late brother’s estate.
However, many Kenyan MPs took to the parliamentary floor on Tuesday to tarnish his reputation – and to show they were on President Ruto’s side in this row at the top of government.
The political drama has taken the focus off demands of the largely disgruntled Kenyan public – as they struggle to cope with the high cost of living.
The 59-year-old politician, popularly known as “Riggy G”, has described allegations against him as “outrageous” and “sheer propaganda”.
Political tensions have been running high in the East African country since June when deadly demonstrations erupted over unpopular tax hikes, exposing a deep rift between Ruto and Gachagua.
Ruto sacked most of his cabinet and brought in members of the main opposition following the anti-tax protests, in which more than 50 people were killed.
Several MPs allied to Gachagua were summoned by police last month, accused of funding the protests – though no charges were brought.
Ahead of the vote, security was heightened in the capital, Nairobi, with police patrols and major roads leading to parliament blocked to the public.
About 20 lawyers were hired to defend Gachagua against the impeachment motion, local media reported.
A total of 291 MPs, more than the 117 required by the constitution, signed the motion to initiate the impeachment process last week.