2024 Shakes Up Kenya's Political Scene with Historic Impeachments.
Kenya saw major changes in its leadership this year. Several top officials were removed from office, some lost their jobs, and others stayed in power.
The biggest shock came when Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua lost his job. He became the first deputy president ever removed in Kenya. A huge number of lawmakers—281—voted him out, while only 44 wanted him to stay.
The charges against Gachagua included breaking laws and working against the president. Lawmakers said he attacked judges and stirred up ethnic tensions. The Senate agreed with five of these charges and removed him in October.
Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza faced her battles. Local officials tried to remove her three times in two years. The latest vote happened in August. The Senate agreed she should leave office. They said she broke laws and misused her power.
Kericho Governor Eric Mutai had better luck. His local council voted him out in October. They said he wasted money and made bad choices, but he kept his job. The Senate found that the first vote against him didn't follow the rules.
The changes reached deputy governors as well. Robert Monda of Kisii County lost his position in March. The Senate agreed he should leave after claims he took bribes. He denied these claims, but 39 senators voted him out anyway.
These removals mark big changes in Kenya's young system of local government. Many officials faced questions about how they used their power. Some survived. Others became the first in their positions to lose their jobs through formal removal.
The events show Kenya's democracy at work, even if the process brings hard changes. Each case was carefully reviewed by local councils and the national Senate. The system ensured both sides could speak before making these important choices.
Kenya saw major changes in its leadership this year. Several top officials were removed from office, some lost their jobs, and others stayed in power.
The biggest shock came when Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua lost his job. He became the first deputy president ever removed in Kenya. A huge number of lawmakers—281—voted him out, while only 44 wanted him to stay.
The charges against Gachagua included breaking laws and working against the president. Lawmakers said he attacked judges and stirred up ethnic tensions. The Senate agreed with five of these charges and removed him in October.
Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza faced her battles. Local officials tried to remove her three times in two years. The latest vote happened in August. The Senate agreed she should leave office. They said she broke laws and misused her power.
Kericho Governor Eric Mutai had better luck. His local council voted him out in October. They said he wasted money and made bad choices, but he kept his job. The Senate found that the first vote against him didn't follow the rules.
The changes reached deputy governors as well. Robert Monda of Kisii County lost his position in March. The Senate agreed he should leave after claims he took bribes. He denied these claims, but 39 senators voted him out anyway.
These removals mark big changes in Kenya's young system of local government. Many officials faced questions about how they used their power. Some survived. Others became the first in their positions to lose their jobs through formal removal.
The events show Kenya's democracy at work, even if the process brings hard changes. Each case was carefully reviewed by local councils and the national Senate. The system ensured both sides could speak before making these important choices.
