The recent impeachment of Kenya’s Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has stirred significant public debate and political reactions.
Following allegations of corruption, abuse of power, and inflaming ethnic tensions, the Senate voted to remove Gachagua, making him the first deputy president to be impeached in Kenya’s history.
This move highlights the ongoing division within Kenya’s ruling party, where some see Gachagua’s impeachment as a step toward governmental accountability, while others view it as politically motivated.
Among the more serious charges were accusations that Gachagua exploited his position for personal financial gain, including allegations involving questionable property dealings and unethical government relationships.
The impeachment process also sparked grassroots reactions in Gachagua’s support base in Central Kenya, where some MPs felt public pressure to withdraw their support for him due to fear of losing voter backing.
Many MPs faced backlash from their constituencies, reflecting a disconnect between national politics and local expectations.
This controversy has cast a spotlight on the internal dynamics of President Ruto’s administration, especially given Gachagua’s past public critiques of government policy and statements that allegedly incited ethnic tension.
MP Gitonga Murugaara’s symbolic action of distributing garbage to his constituents in Tharaka has been seen by some as a satirical jab at the current administration’s handling of socio-economic challenges like hunger and unemployment.
The act underscores growing discontent and political dissatisfaction at the grassroots level, where residents feel overlooked and neglected in terms of essential resources.
This gesture has drawn significant media attention, as it sheds light on the frustrations among the Kenyan population facing economic hardship amid high-level political discord.
