Embattled Kenyan Deputy Prez faces Impeachment

Kenya’s embattled deputy president, Rigathi Gachagua, came out guns blazing ahead of his impeachment hearing on Tuesday - dismissing allegations of corruption as "outrageous propaganda" and branding it all a "political witch hunt" aimed at overturning the will of the people.

Gachagua, whose relations with President William Ruto are strained, is also accused of undermining the government and engaging in ethnically divisive politics. The impeachment process was initiated on 1 October, with 291 members of parliament supporting the motion, well beyond the required minimum of 117.

The motion against the deputy president lists 11 grounds for impeachment, including allegations that he accumulated assets worth $40 million in two years, despite having an annual salary of $93,000. Gachagua argues that his wealth comes from his family's business dealings in real estate, hospitality and construction.

Gachagua's legal team, consisting of some 25 lawyers, will reportedly rely on electronic evidence, including videos, when defending their client in the National Assembly. Gachagua has been unsuccessful in his attempts to halt the impeachment process through legal means and has warned that his removal from office could lead to discontent among his supporters.

If the motion passes, Gachagua will become the first deputy president to be impeached since the introduction of the revised 2010 constitution.