Kenya's deputy president is currently embroiled in a contentious impeachment motion, with accusations ranging from supporting anti-government protests to involvement in corruption and other irregularities. In response to these allegations, the deputy president has vehemently defended himself and is set to appear before parliament to address the charges.
In a televised speech, the deputy president refuted the claims made in the motion, labeling them as 'shameful and sensational.' This marks the first detailed public response from him regarding the accusations leveled against him.
During his upcoming appearance before parliament, the deputy president has stated his intention to present a two-hour defense of his actions. The impeachment motion has sparked heated debates among both supporters and opponents, with clashes reported at public forums where public participation forms were being filled.
One of the key points of contention revolves around the deputy president's wealth acquisition, with him clarifying that some of the properties listed in the motion belonged to his late brother. He also defended renovation expenses for his official residence, citing the need to restore its dignity due to its previous state of disrepair.
Despite issuing an apology during a recent prayer meeting at his residence, the deputy president emphasized that this gesture should not be misconstrued as an admission of guilt. He also dispelled rumors of any potential resignation in light of the impeachment proceedings.
As the motion progresses through parliament, legislators are expected to debate and vote on the matter before it advances to the senate. While the motion initially garnered significant support with 291 legislators signing it, some lawmakers from the deputy president's region have since withdrawn their backing following feedback from constituents.
Notably, President William Ruto has refrained from publicly commenting on the impeachment, with past statements indicating his reluctance to publicly shame his deputy, drawing parallels to his previous strained relationship with his predecessor during their shared term in office.
