NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has alleged that President William Ruto bribed Members of Parliament and Senators to support the motion that led to his impeachment from office last October.
In a Monday evening interview on KTN News, Gachagua claimed that MPs were paid Sh500,000 each while Senators received Sh10 million to vote in favour of the motion.
He further accused Ruto of promising Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, the mover of the motion, the powerful chairmanship of the Budget and Appropriations Committee as part of the deal.
“It’s the worst-kept secret in this country that he [Ruto] crafted the impeachment and bribed Members of Parliament. The Kibwezi West MP has been everywhere complaining that he was short-changed,” Gachagua said.
Gachagua’s impeachment followed a resounding vote in Parliament, where 281 out of 350 MPs backed the motion.
Only 44 voted against, while one abstained. The motion accused him of undermining the presidency, interfering with devolved functions, making divisive statements, and engaging in alleged economic crimes—including acquiring Sh5.2 billion in property through proxies and relatives.
During the parliamentary debate, Mutuse presented documents detailing suspicious money transfers and alleged conflict of interest.
Gachagua, however, denied the accusations, insisting they were politically motivated and lacked substantiation.
Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, who supported the impeachment, described Gachagua as a polarising figure whose conduct posed a threat to national cohesion.
“Behind the veneer of humility you see on TV is a dark face of violence. A face that endangers our nationhood,” Ichung’wah said, adding that the former Deputy President had aligned himself with sectarian interests.
Quoting MP Otiende Amollo, Ichung’wah added: “If you have to spend two hours on national TV to defend yourself against corruption, you’re probably corrupt.”
Gachagua also criticised Mt Kenya MPs for what he called blind loyalty to the President, accusing them of backing unpopular policies such as the controversial Finance Bill, only to applaud Ruto later when he reversed course in the face of public pressure.
“It’s hypocritical for the President to claim MPs disobeyed him. These same MPs did everything he asked of them—from defending the Adani port deal to supporting oppressive tax measures,” he said.
