Kenya’s ousted Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has likened his impeachment to the political struggles of former U.S. President Donald Trump, claiming he was removed from office for standing firm in his Christian convictions and refusing to bend to political expediency.
In an interview with CBN News, Gachagua, who was impeached in October 2024 over corruption and oath-related charges, rejected the official narrative surrounding his removal.
Instead, he insisted that his downfall was engineered because he refused to endorse policies and directives he considered morally indefensible.
“This is the same thing that happened to Donald Trump. He was impeached because of what he believes in. I stand for what is right, and I will not have agreed to be part of a government that is killing young people,” Gachagua said, referring to the government’s handling of opposition protests last year.
At the height of youth-led demonstrations against tax hikes and economic hardship, President William Ruto reportedly ordered security forces to use extreme force.
Gachagua claims he openly resisted “shoot-in-the-leg” directives, arguing they violated both human rights and his personal Christian faith.
Beyond impeachment, Gachagua alleged that he has survived six assassination attempts—two during his tenure and four more since being ousted—describing the ordeal as “a Trump experience.” He maintains that his persecution is political, not legal.
While critics maintain that corruption was at the heart of his removal, Gachagua shifted blame to weak oversight institutions and what he called a culture of loyalty over accountability. “Corruption is not Kenya’s biggest problem. The real issue is the failure of oversight and the demand that leaders pledge allegiance to individuals instead of the Constitution,” he argued.
Despite his political woes, the former Deputy President pledged to remain in active politics, announcing plans to contest the presidency in 2027. He emphasised his belief in democratic processes, dismissing violent change and insisting that his campaign would focus on peace and reform.
“I believe in peaceful, electoral change. That is the only way we can save this country from sliding further into crisis,” he stated.
Gachagua’s impeachment was one of the most dramatic political shifts under President Ruto’s administration, paving the way for Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to be appointed as Deputy President. As the 2027 elections draw closer, Gachagua’s defiance signals that he intends to remain a polarising figure in Kenyan politics.
