In a historic decision, Kenya's Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been impeached by the Senate, marking the first-ever removal of a deputy president under the 2010 constitution.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi announced the development on Thursday, stating that senators voted to impeach Gachagua after finding him guilty on five out of 11 charges brought forward by the National Assembly.
With the decision, Gachagua is officially removed from his position as deputy president.
On Friday, President William Ruto nominated Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki as the new deputy president, submitting the name to the National Assembly for approval.
The Senate session, which extended into Thursday midnight, required only one of the charges to be upheld for the impeachment to succeed.
Ultimately, 53 out of 66 senators voted to oust 59-year-old Gachagua, concluding a two-week process that attracted the attention of the whole nation.
Gachagua faced allegations ranging from corruption and insubordination to engaging in ethnically divisive politics, money laundering, undermining government initiatives, and intimidating public officials.