NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Supporters and opponents of Kenya’s vice president clashed in public forums Friday over an impeachment motion against him introduced in parliament this week by the ruling alliance. Rigathi Gachagua is accused of supporting him protests against the government in June and of involvement in corruption and other irregularities, allegations he denies.
A motion for Gachagua’s impeachment was proposed in parliament on Tuesday and Kenyans were given until Friday to fill out public participation forms in their constituencies. Public forums are being held across the country to discuss the impeachment.
In the capital Nairobi, a public forum in the Bomas of Kenya turned violent as supporters of Chairman William Ruto clashed with those who supported Gachagua. Chairs were thrown into the room and activist Morara Kebaso, known for exposing stalled government projects, said he had been injured.
In central Kenya’s Nyeri county, police clashed with supporters of the vice president as they chanted that there would be no president if his vice president is ousted. The two were elected on a joint ticket.
In Nyandarua province, opponents were declared traitors and chased from the community hall.
About 291 lawmakers, more than the 117 constitutional requirements, signed the impeachment motion before it was filed, but some of them from the vice president’s home country say they no longer support the motion after hearing opposing views from their constituents.
“If the vice president is guilty, then his boss, the president, is equally guilty,” a female supporter told Citizen TV.
Gachagua faces impeachment on 10 counts, including corruption, ethnic discrimination and inconsistent government policies.
He has maintained his innocence and vowed to fight the impeachment motion.
The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to halt Friday’s public participation and set the date for the hearing next Wednesday.
President Ruto has not intervened in the impeachment debate of his deputy.
He said in the early days of his presidency that he would not publicly humiliate his deputy, citing the difficult relationship he had with his predecessor. Uhuru Kenyatta during their second term.
The Senate is expected to consider the impeachment motion next Tuesday.