Now, the Senate will decide his fate, as they are set to vote on whether to uphold the decision. If the Senate supports the impeachment, Gachagua risks losing not only his position as Deputy President but also a range of personal benefits that come with his office.
On Tuesday, October 8, 281 MPs voted in favor of impeaching Deputy President Gachagua. The impeachment motion was led by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, who accused Gachagua of violating the Constitution and amassing unexplained wealth. The motion included 11 charges against Gachagua, all of which were approved by the majority of MPs.
While 44 MPs opposed the motion, they were not enough to save Gachagua from impeachment. His future now lies with the Senate, where members will debate and vote on each of the charges within the next seven days. If two-thirds of the senators agree with the National Assembly’s decision, Gachagua will officially be removed from office.
What Gachagua Stands to Lose
If the Senate upholds the impeachment, Gachagua will lose several privileges that come with his role as Deputy President. These include his salary, official transport, medical benefits, and retirement package.
1.Salary and Official Transport
As Deputy President, Gachagua earns a gross monthly salary of KSh 1.22 million, as outlined by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). He also enjoys official government transport in line with government policy. Both his salary and official transport will be withdrawn if he is impeached.
2. Medical Benefits
Gachagua currently receives a comprehensive medical cover that extends to his spouse and up to four children under the age of 25. This medical cover includes inpatient care worth KSh 10 million, outpatient services valued at KSh 300,000, maternity coverage of KSh 150,000, and dental and optical care valued at KSh 75,000 each. Should the impeachment stand, these medical benefits will be revoked.
3. Retirement Benefits
One of the significant losses Gachagua could face is the loss of his retirement benefits. Under the Retirement Benefits Act of 2015, state officers like the Deputy President are entitled to a service gratuity worth 31% of their annual pensionable earnings for the period they served.
However, the law also states that if a person is removed from office due to gross misconduct or violation of the Constitution, they could lose their retirement benefits. If Gachagua’s impeachment is upheld by the Senate and the courts, he may not receive his retirement package.
Although the situation appears dire, Gachagua still has options to challenge his removal. If the Senate upholds his impeachment, he can seek redress in court. By appealing to the High Court, he might get a chance to have his impeachment overturned, as has happened in the past with some county governors.
If Gachagua appeals to the court, it could take several months for the case to be resolved. During this time, he could continue to serve as Deputy President if the court issues a stay order against his removal, which would temporarily halt the impeachment process until a final ruling is made.
One of the most serious accusations against Gachagua is the unexplained accumulation of wealth, which MPs claimed amounts to KSh 5.2 billion. In response, Gachagua defended himself by stating that it took him 15 years to build his wealth during former President Mwai Kibaki’s time in office. He explained that his wealth was not acquired overnight but through hard work and various business ventures over the years.
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