Kenya’s divided house
The impeachment of the vice-president has fractured the country’s political landscape.
Dan Gatsinzi
Allies of President William Ruto voted on Wednesday to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua following a deterioration in their relationship.
With 291 MPs backing the motion, it passed, having garnered support from two-thirds of the National Assembly. T his reflects widespread concern over Gachagua’s role in corruption, both before and during his tenure as deputy president. However, it has also sparked divisions within Kenya’s youth-led social movement, which has prided itself on being ethnically neutral.
Gachagua played a pivotal role in Ruto’s election victory in 2022, particularly in mobilising the Kikuyu community of Central Province. But as the youth-led anti-government protests unfolded this year, he appeared to distance himself from Ruto. In response, Ruto brokered a deal with opposition leaders, including Raila Odinga, aiming to form a “broad-based” government. While this was framed as a unifying effort after political violence, it also reduced Ruto’s dependence on Gachagua for legislative control as he gears up for re-election in 2027.
Ruto’s decision to press the “eject” button may resonate with the public, as it suggests the ousting of a widely recognised figure of corruption. However, the dynamics are complex. Despite Ruto’s declining popularity amid mass protests against the Finance Bill, Gachagua’s image improved among certain protesters who viewed him as sympathetic to their grievances. This complex interplay was evident last week at a public participation forum at Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi, where tensions flared between Gachagua’s supporters and his detractors.
Opponents argue that the impeachment punishes a deep-rooted culture of corruption in Kenyan politics. “We need to send a message that corruption will not be tolerated,” asserted an activist at the forum. “Impeachment is a necessary step toward accountability and restoring public trust in our leaders.”
These divisions are not just political; they also reflect regional and ethnic lines, as highlighted by a Tifa Research survey showing that while 38% of Kenyans oppose Gachagua’s impeachment, this figure swells to 69% within his Central Province stronghold.
The discourse on social media mirrors these tensions. Youth activists are mobilising on platforms like X and TikTok, using hashtags such as #ImpeachGachagua and #StandWithGachagua to express their divided sentiments.
The youth are also split on the best approach to achieving a more accountable government. Some argue that any figure linked to corruption must be removed, while others contend that Gachagua is merely a scapegoat, suggesting that true change can only come with the impeachment of Ruto himself. The president has, after all, been dogged throughout his political career by allegations of corruption and inciting ethnic violence.
The repercussions of Gachagua’s impeachment could be profound for both the government and the unity of the youth-led social movement. His removal might lead to a significant reshaping of the ruling coalition and could jeopardise Ruto’s support among Kikuyu voters. Meanwhile, youth activists’ reactions could further fracture their movement.
As Dr John Mwangi, a political scientist at the University of Nairobi, observed: “It could signal a shift in the political narrative. But it could also deepen the divisions within the electorate.”
It kind of reads like Ruto diverting criticism of his government onto ethnic/political divisions. Firing one person for corruption won't change anything.