Impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has sent warm Mashujaa Day wishes to Kenyans as the country marks the important national holiday.
Gachagua, who has been recuperating in the hospital, took to social media on Sunday, October 20, 2024, to share his message.
This is the first time the former Head of State has spoken since his impeachment.
“Happy Mashujaa Day, dear Kenyans. God bless our nation,” he wrote on his X handle.
Happy Mashujaa Day dear Kenyans.
God Bless our Nation.
— H.E. Rigathi Gachagua, EGH (@rigathi) October 20, 2024
This year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations are taking place in Kwale County. It remains unclear whether Gachagua will attend the event.
Gachagua impeached
The Senate impeached Gachagua after being found guilty of five out of 11 charges.
The vote took place on Thursday, October 17, 2024, while Gachagua was hospitalized due to severe chest pains.
This marked the first time a deputy president has been removed from office under Kenya’s 2010 Constitution.
The impeachment motion was initially introduced by Mwengi Mutuse, the Member of Parliament for Kibwezi West, and received strong backing in the National Assembly, where 281 MPs voted in favour, with only 44 opposing. The Senate later found Gachagua guilty of several charges, including gross misconduct and abuse of office.
The most significant charge involved the gross violation of Articles 10, 27, 73, 75, and 129 of the Constitution, focusing on his failure to uphold national values and principles of governance, which was supported by 53 senators while 13 opposed. However, other charges, such as undermining the president, the cabinet, and devolution, were dismissed, with only 28 and 19 senators supporting these charges, respectively—well below the required majority.
The Senate also found Gachagua guilty of violating judicial independence, with 51 senators in favour and 16 opposed. Another upheld charge related to his violation of the oath of office, which passed with 49 senators voting in support, 16 opposing, and two abstaining. Additionally, Gachagua was found guilty of breaching the National Cohesion and Integration Act, receiving 48 votes in favour.
One of the more notable changes was undermining the National Security Intelligence Service (NIS), which was upheld with 46 senators in favour, 20 opposing, and one abstention.