As discussions around the potential impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua intensify, political experts are sounding the alarm, stating that such a move would destabilize the government and could also be seen as a vote of no confidence in President William Ruto.
Kenya’s Constitution binds the President and Deputy President as a team elected on one ticket, meaning any attempt to remove the Deputy President is essentially questioning the legitimacy of the President himself.
Former Makueni Governor Prof. Kivutha Kibwana remarked, “Why doesn’t State House realize to impeach the DP is to constructively impeach No. 1 due to their election on one ticket?”
The political implications of impeaching the Deputy President are severe. According to Dr. John Ngugu, a political analyst, “By attempting to remove the Deputy President, you are signaling discontent with the entire administration. It is not just about the DP’s performance; it becomes a direct critique of the President’s leadership and judgment.”
Dr. Ngugi stressed that any impeachment proceedings against Gachagua could be interpreted as a vote of no confidence in the entire government, which would undermine the stability of the executive branch. This would have far-reaching consequences, as it would destabilize the political landscape and potentially open the door for further unrest.
The danger of such a move is that it could embolden those who previously sought to remove President Ruto, particularly the Gen Z protesters who questioned his legitimacy during their demonstrations.
With Gachagua facing potential ouster, there are concerns that the momentum could shift towards a full-blown campaign against the President.
Constitutional expert Dr. Linda warned, “If the Deputy President is impeached, it could signal that the administration is crumbling, emboldening groups like Gen Z to go full throttle and demand for the President’s ouster. We must be careful not to spark a political crisis we can’t control.”
Religious leaders have also urged caution, echoing their earlier calls for patience during the Gen Z demonstrations. They have reiterated that those seeking to remove the Deputy President should wait for the next election cycle and vote him out at the ballot if they are dissatisfied.
Bishop David Muriithi of the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya emphasized, “Impeachment is not the answer. It’s a dangerous game that could destabilize the country. If you want change, wait for his term to end and exercise your democratic right at the ballot box.”
Just as they had cautioned against removing President Ruto, religious leaders are urging calm, warning that any attempt to impeach Gachagua could have unintended and far-reaching consequences.
