Junet’s Bribery Claims Reignite Debate Over Gachagua’s Impeachment
Fresh political controversy has erupted after National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed claimed that Members of Parliament and senators were bribed to support the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, reigniting debate over the integrity of one of Kenya’s most consequential constitutional processes.
Gachagua became the first Deputy President to be impeached under the 2010 Constitution in 2024 after both the National Assembly and the Senate voted to remove him from office. His impeachment followed a public fallout with President William Ruto, with lawmakers accusing him of corruption, inciting ethnic divisions, and undermining the government.
Nearly two years later, Junet’s allegations have placed the impeachment process back under scrutiny. The Minority Leader claims legislators received payments to vote in favor of Gachagua’s removal, allegations that have not been substantiated or confirmed through any official investigation.
The claims have sparked fresh concerns about Parliament’s independence and credibility, with governance experts arguing that if lawmakers were influenced through financial inducements, public confidence in the country’s legislative institutions could be severely undermined.
Political analysts note that allegations of bribery in Parliament are not new, but say Junet’s remarks carry added weight because they come from a senior political leader with firsthand knowledge of parliamentary affairs. They argue that the claims warrant independent investigations to establish whether any laws were broken during the impeachment process.
The controversy has also revived broader concerns about corruption in Kenya. According to the African Development Bank, the country loses an estimated $1.5 billion annually through corruption and illicit financial flows, while critics continue to fault the slow pace of investigations and the limited number of convictions involving high-profile political figures.
Calls have also grown for greater transparency in Parliament, with governance advocates arguing that confidential declarations of wealth by legislators make it difficult for the public to hold elected leaders accountable.
Despite the High Court recently upholding Gachagua’s impeachment, the former Deputy President remains politically active and continues to rally support within the opposition ahead of the 2027 General Election. Analysts believe his influence could shape the opposition’s strategy as the country heads toward the next presidential contest.
For now, Junet Mohamed’s allegations remain unproven, and no official investigations have been announced. However, the claims have reignited national debate over corruption, accountability, and the credibility of Kenya’s democratic institutions.
