• Leeway Africa Research Agency survey revealed that 78.2% of Kenyans oppose the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua as the deputy president
• 66.5% of Kenyans interviewed stated that both President William Ruto and Gachagua should be impeached due to unfulfilled promises
• Additionally, 65.3% of the respondents drawn from across the 47 counties argued that CS Kithure Kindiki is not fit to lead the country as a deputy president

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

Impeached deputy president Rigathi Gachagua is challenging his ouster in court following an overwhelming Senate vote to remove him from office.

A recent poll by Leeway Africa Research Agency (LARA) indicates that many Kenyans oppose the impeachment. The survey, conducted between October 18 and 24 across all 47 counties using Computer-Assisted Web Interviewing (CAWI), reveals that 78.2% of respondents do not support Gachagua’s ouster.

Why some Kenyans don’t support Gachagua’s impeachment

The poll sampled 53% male and 47% female respondents, who expressed concerns that the impeachment was a distraction from more pressing issues, particularly Kenya’s economic challenges.

Many felt that the removal of the deputy president lacked urgency and concrete justification.

Moreover, 66.5% voiced a desire to see both President William Ruto and Gachagua held accountable, citing economic stagnation, unfulfilled campaign promises, and alleged corruption within the Kenya Kwanza administration.

This is after only 35.6% of Kenyans expressed belief that the country is moving in the right direction.

How many Kenyans support Kindiki’s nomination as DP?

President Ruto nominated Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to replace Gachagua as Kenya’s third deputy president under the 2010 Constitution.

However, the poll found that 65.3% of Kenyans disapprove of Kindiki’s nomination, citing a perceived lack of impactful achievements in his ministry.

Conversely, 34.2% strongly support his nomination, viewing him as a potential political leader in the country.

Group challenging Kindiki’s nomination appeals to CJ Koome

Sheria Mtaani, led by activist Shadrack Wambui, wrote a protest letter to Chief Justice Martha Koome, claiming discrimination in the handling of their petition challenging Kindiki’s nomination.

The group argued their case was not assigned a three-judge bench, despite being filed alongside similar petitions.

They urged the chief justice to address their concerns, questioning the nomination’s validity given the lack of a fully constituted IEBC.

What else you need to know about Gachagua’s impeachment