Senate Speaker Amason Kingi set aside days for the hearing of the impeachment motion against the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua paving way for another crucial stage in the process.
If Gachagua is impeached, President William Ruto has to nominate a qualified individual to take over the position within two weeks.
According to article 149 of the Constitution of Kenya, the president is required to nominate a person to fill the vacancy within 14 days after the impeachment.
Subsequently, the National Assembly is required vote on the nomination within 60 days upon receiving it.
Speculations on the possible replacement should the impeachment sail through have been rife with several leaders reportedly angling to replace Gachagua.
A poll by Trends and Insights for Africa (TIFA) revealed that the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration Kithure Kindiki was the most preferred pick for the position at 37 per cent.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro took second place as possible replacements of Gachagua scoring five per cent.
On the other hand, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru came fourth, with three per cent of the respondents in the survey terming her as a possible replacement for Gachagua.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga followed at fifth place with two per cent.
How Long Gachagua Has Served as Deputy President
Kenya held elections on August 9, 2022, and two years down the line a rift is clear between President William Ruto and his deputy.
If the senate impeaches Gachagua, the next appointed and vetted second in command will have served a full term as deputy president as the Constitution stipulates.
“If a person assumes office as Deputy President under clause (1), then, for the purposes of Article 148 (8), the person shall be deemed to have served a full term as Deputy President if, at the date on which the person assumed office, more than two and a half years remain before the date of the next regularly scheduled election under Article 136 (2),” the Constitution states.
Also Read: Sifuna Refuses to Second Impeachment of Gachagua
What the Law Says Regarding the Resignation of a Deputy President
Gachagua has remained adamant that he would not resign despite calls from some leaders across the country.
According to the Constitution, the Deputy President may resign from office at any time by notice, in writing, addressed to the President.
“The resignation shall take effect on the date and at the time specified in the notice, if any, or if a date is not specified, at noon on the day after the notice is delivered,” it explains.
Also Read: Atwoli Speaks About Replacing Gachagua as DP
On October 9, 2024, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi set aside October 16 and October 17, 2024, for the plenary hearing of Gachagua’s impeachment motion.
Kibwezi West Member of Parliament Mwengi Mutuse tabled the impeachment motion against Gachagua in Parliament on October 1, 2024. 282 legislators voted in support of the motion while 44 voted against it in the National Assembly.
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