In a historic decision, Kenya’s Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been removed from office following a successful impeachment vote in the Senate on Thursday night, marking the first such removal of a deputy president since Kenya’s 2010 constitution introduced the impeachment process.

The 59-year-old former ally of President William Ruto faced 11 charges, including insubordination to the president, inciting ethnic violence, corruption, undermining government, and money laundering. The Senate found him guilty of five charges, surpassing the constitutional requirement of just one guilty verdict for removal from office.

The impeachment trial, which concluded after two days of hearings, saw both Gachagua and the National Assembly present their cases before the Senate. Throughout the proceedings, Gachagua maintained that the charges were politically motivated.

The impeachment highlights growing political tensions in Kenya’s leadership. Gachagua, who was elected alongside President Ruto in August 2022 in an unexpected victory, has seen his relationship with the president deteriorate as Ruto has reportedly grown closer to opposition leader Raila Odinga, his former main electoral rival.

Prior to his role as deputy president, Gachagua served as a member of parliament, building his political career before joining Ruto’s successful presidential campaign.