Kenya senate votes to remove deputy president from office by impeachment

FILE PHOTO: Kenya's Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua speaks during a press conference, ahead of lawmakers' vote over his impeachment motion at his residence in Karen, Nairobi Kenya, October 7, 2024. REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi/File Photo

NAIROBI (Reuters) -Kenya's senate voted to dismiss Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua from office by impeachment on five out of 11 charges levelled against him on Thursday, in an unprecedented move that risks pushing the country towards a political crisis.

The National Assembly voted last week to impeach Gachagua, who helped President William Ruto win an election two years ago but has been assailed by allies of the president over alleged disloyalty and a series of provocative public comments.