While Kenyan Vice-President Rigathi Gachagua, threatened with dismissal, proclaims his innocence, supporters of the current head of state accuse him of not having sufficiently supported him during the anti-government demonstrations.
Kenyan deputies vote Tuesday on a motion to impeach Vice-President Rigathi Gachagua, accused in particular of corruption within the framework of this unprecedented procedure, the culmination of several months of open conflict between the president and his deputy.
Mr. Gachagua will respond from 5:00 p.m. (2:00 p.m. GMT) before the National Assembly to these accusations, which he described on Monday as “ pure propaganda » and “ conspiracy to oust him from power due to other political considerations ».
To be adopted, the motion must bring together two-thirds of the deputies, or 233 votes. If approved, it will then be debated and voted on in the Senate, where 45 votes will be needed.
Submitted a week ago by a deputy from the presidential coalition (Kenya Kwanza), the motion lists eleven grounds for dismissal, including those of “undermining national unity”, “insubordination” towards the president as well as numerous suspicions of “economic crimes” (embezzlement of public funds, conflicts of interest, abuse of power, etc.).
She states in particular that “over the past two years, (he) has inexplicably accumulated a colossal real estate portfolio valued at 5.2 billion shillings (approximately 36 million euros), mainly derived from alleged proceeds of corruption and money laundering. money “.
During a press conference lasting more than two hours Monday evening, the 59-year-old vice president said: innocent », refuting point by point the accusations, in particular on his assets which he says he inherited from his brother and which he also legitimately constituted when he was in the business world.
He repeated that this procedure “ can’t » to have been launched without the agreement of the head of state, with whom he has been in open rupture for several months.
William Ruto had chosen him as his running mate for the August 2022 presidential election, despite his sulphurous reputation, already marked by several accusations of corruption.
With a solid network of influence, particularly in the strategic region of Mount Kenya, this politician from the Kikuyu ethnic group – the majority in the country – played a crucial role in Mr. Ruto’s victory against his rival Raila Odinga .
But relations between the two men at the head of state have deteriorated, particularly since an anti-government protest movement which shook the country in June and July.
His detractors accuse him of not having supported the head of state in the face of demonstrations which demanded his resignation. The repression of this movement left more than 60 dead.
Mr. Gachagua has since considered himself sidelined by the president, who on the other hand has begun a rapprochement with Mr. Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
He ruled out any possibility of resigning, promising a legal battle if necessary: “ I will fight until the end (…) I have no doubt that I will obtain justice and that this impeachment procedure will be canceled ».
If adopted, Mr. Gachagua would be the first vice-president removed from power under such a procedure, established in the 2010 Constitution.
In 1989, Vice-President Josephat Karanja resigned under similar conditions, before a vote of no confidence accusing him of undermining the authority of President Daniel arap Moi.
Sf/APA avec AFP
