An overwhelming majority of 281 legislators approved the removal of Gachagua in the impeachment trial that was brought against him in the lower house accused of supporting the anti-government protests last June and for involvement in administrative corruption linked to logging operations in Mount Kenya.

Only 44 deputies supported the accused while another decided to abstain, according to the official record of the parliamentary session.

The official, 59 years old, was chosen as a running mate by the now president William Ruto who explained his decision when he described him as a politician committed to the truth and without fear of expressing it in any circumstances. The impeachment decision must now be approved by two-thirds of the 67-member Senate in a session whose date has not yet been announced, but Gachagua has anticipated events and announced that he will challenge the verdict in court.

Both the dismissal and his presentation to the judiciary inject new fuel into the volatile political situation in Kenya, marked by a serious economic crisis with political overtones that President Ruto has been unable to defuse.

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