• It seems not even President William Ruto can salvage his deputy Rigathi Gachagua from the political guillotine he is currently in
• Ruto has remained reticent on the ouster of his deputy, whose fate now lies with the members of the Kenyan legislature
• The president seemed to continue with his duties unbothered as Gachagua’s impeachment gained momentum in its initial stages in the National Assembly

Eli Odaga, a journalist at Ekwutosblog , brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi – President William Ruto has continued to stay clear of the woes faced by his deputy Rigathi Gachagua, whose job is now on the line.

A motion to impeach Gachagua is already in the National Assembly, with the House scheduling public participation in the course of the proceedings.

A total of 291 MPs from across the aisle appended their signatures in support.

How has Ruto reacted to Gachagua’s planned impeachment?

Ruto’s loud silence on the proceedings against his deputy has led to many quarters concluding that he is in support.

The president returned to the country on Sunday after his official visit to the United States (US), where he attended the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Until Wednesday, October 2, Ruto was confined within the State House precincts; this as the notice to oust Gachagua was formally presented in the National Assembly on Tuesday, October 1.

On Wednesday, Ruto hosted the East African Community (EAC) Secretary General Veronica Nduva and other regional officials to deliberate on digitising the region’s institutions.

The president later met with the current and former governors and mayors of Africa and philanthropists and then graced the Magical Kenya Travel Expo opening ceremony at Nairobi’s Uhuru Gardens.

Gachagua was a no-show in the president’s day’s activities.

What is Ruto’s position on Gachagua’s impeachment?

While the president has been mum on the matter, the pronouncements by some of his close allies could indicate his position.

Kikuyu MP and the Leader of the Majority in the National Assembly Kimani Ichung’wah is among Ruto’s top loyalists; Ichung’wah supports the motion to oust Gachagua.

Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua, Ruto’s junior in the National Executive, also endorsed the impeachment.

While serving the House with the notice of the motion on Tuesday, Kibwezi MP Mwengi Mutuse, who was the motion mover, placed a host of allegations on Gachagua’s name, promising to substantiate each in his bid to convince his colleagues to send the deputy president home.

The charges forming the grounds for the impeachment include alleged gross violations of the constitution, reckless and inflammatory remarks, misconduct regarding Gachagua’s responsibility as the principal assistant to Ruto, corrupt and unlawful acquisition of assets valued at upward of KSh 5.7 billion, and alleged violation of both national and international laws, including the National Cohesion and Integration Act.

How Gachagua will be impeached

Following the admission of the motion to the National Assembly, a debate (in plenary) will follow and a vote later taken.

The vote must have at least two-thirds of the MPs in support, which will indicate the House has resolved to impeach the deputy president.

The matter will be taken to the Senate, whose speaker will convene a seven-day meeting to review the charges against Gachagua.

Should the motion of impeachment be supported by at least two-thirds of the senators after the hearing of both sides, Gachagua will cease to be the deputy president.

This comes as the deputy president faults his boss for being behind the plot to have him deposed.

Gachagua is on record saying that his impeachment cannot be instituted without Ruto’s approval.