Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has not resigned despite the widespread circulation of a fake resignation letter.
A document falsely claiming that Gachagua stepped down from his role has been making the rounds online, but the Deputy President remains firmly in office as he faces an ongoing impeachment process in Parliament.
Reliable sources within the offices of both President William Ruto and the Deputy President have confirmed to Kenyans.co.ke that the resignation rumours are entirely unfounded. The letter, addressed to "The People of Kenya," claimed that Gachagua was stepping down "effective immediately," citing personal reasons and concerns over his impending impeachment.
It read in part, "I believe it is in the best interest of both my conscience and the people I serve." The document, however, was discredited for lacking the Deputy President's official signature and the necessary stamps of his office.
Gachagua’s team clarified that any resignation would need to be formally submitted to the President of Kenya, with the appropriate signatures and seals. The fake letter circulating online does not meet these criteria, and those close to the Deputy President insist that he was committed to challenging the impeachment proceedings.
On Wednesday, October 9, Gachagua’s legal defence, led by renowned lawyer Paul Muite, already filed motions to block the impeachment. Muite is seeking to have the petitions challenging Gachagua’s removal from office heard by a panel of three judges, stressing the importance of the Kenyan people’s sovereignty, as outlined in Article 1 of the Constitution. This legal manoeuvre reflects the high-stakes political tensions that have engulfed the ruling coalition.
As the situation intensifies, Gachagua’s legal team awaits court directions on Friday, October 11, where Chief Justice Martha Koome will decide whether a judicial panel will oversee the case. This is a critical juncture in the fight, as the Deputy President aims to maintain his grip on power despite the mounting political and legal pressure.
Next week, Gachagua will face the Senate over the 11 charges lodged against him. Each charge will be voted on individually by the Senate, and if even one charge is upheld, Gachagua could be impeached. This sets the stage for a political showdown that could reshape Kenya’s leadership landscape.
Gachagua faces an uphill battle in the Senate after a decisive blow in the National Assembly on Tuesday. A staggering 282 MPs, predominantly from President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), voted to impeach him, while only 44 lawmakers stood in his defence.
The overwhelming support for his removal signals a steep challenge ahead as the Senate prepares to weigh in on his fate.
If Gachagua’s impeachment is upheld, either by the Senate or the courts, he stands to lose significant retirement benefits under the Retirement Benefits Act. These perks include a pension equal to 80 per cent of his last salary, along with other privileges such as security and medical insurance. However, the Act stipulates that officials found guilty of gross misconduct, or violations of the Constitution, will forfeit such benefits.
On the flip side, if Gachagua had chosen to resign voluntarily before facing impeachment, he would have secured a lump sum equivalent to 12 months of his last salary, as well as diplomatic passports and additional perks for himself and his spouse.
