Kenya's parliament overwhelmingly votes to impeach deputy president

NAIROBI, Kenya — 

Kenya's lawmakers approved a question Tuesday to impeach the country's lawman president, pursuing daylong discussions and aft Rigathi Gachagua appeared successful parliament to support himself against respective charges, including allegations that helium supported anti-government protests successful June.

The question was approved by a 281-44 ballot successful favour of impeachment, good supra the 117 votes constitutionally required. The question present goes to the parliament's precocious house, which volition statement the substance and besides clasp a vote.

For impeachment to beryllium final, it volition request the further backing of two-thirds of senators successful the precocious house. It's not wide erstwhile that ballot volition instrumentality place.

Under Kenya's constitution, the removal from bureau is automatic if approved by some chambers, though Gachagua tin situation the enactment successful tribunal — thing helium has said helium would do.

The lawman president is besides accused of being progressive successful corruption and different irregularities. He denies each the charges against him.

The statement surrounding his destiny has extended beyond parliament — supporters and opponents of the question clashed past week successful nationalist forums aft the ruling confederation brought the question earlier parliament.

In his speech, Gachagua declared that helium was "undergoing a governmental process" and asked legislators to marque their determination "without intimidation and coercion." On Monday, the lawman president had said helium believed the question had the president's blessings.

President William Ruto has yet to publically remark astir the impeachment but is connected grounds successful the earlier days of his presidency saying helium would not publically humiliate his deputy, alluding to the troubled narration helium had with his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, during their 2nd word successful office.

On Sunday during a supplication gathering astatine his residence, Gachagua implored Ruto, legislators and Kenyans to forgive him for immoderate wrongdoing during his tenure. He clarified that connection connected Monday, saying it was not an admittance of guilt and dismissed rumors that helium would resign.

Gachagua told lawmakers Tuesday that immoderate of the properties listed successful the impeachment question arsenic his belonged to his precocious brother. He besides defended renovation expenditures for his authoritative residence, saying it was successful a authorities of disrepair and needed to beryllium "dignified."