01/10/2024
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT IS IMPEACHED
If a Deputy President (DP) in Kenya is impeached, the process and outcomes are governed by the Constitution of Kenya. Here is what happens:
1. Initiation of the Impeachment:
The impeachment process starts in the National Assembly, where at least one-third of the Members of Parliament (MPs) must support the motion for it to proceed. In this case, if 291 MPs have appended their signatures, it exceeds the required threshold.
2. Vote in the National Assembly:
Once the motion is introduced, a vote is taken. For the impeachment to be successful, at least two-thirds of the MPs (233 out of 349 members) must vote in favor of it.
3. Senate Proceedings:
If the National Assembly approves the impeachment motion, it is then sent to the Senate. The Senate must investigate the charges laid against the Deputy President. A special committee may be formed to conduct this investigation within a specified time frame.
4. Senate Vote:
After the investigation, the Senate debates and votes on the impeachment. For the DP to be removed from office, at least two-thirds of the senators (45 out of 67 members) must support the impeachment.
5. Removal from Office:
If the Senate votes in favor of the impeachment, the Deputy President is officially removed from office.
6. Vacancy and Succession:
If the Deputy President is removed, the President is required to nominate a replacement within 14 days. The nominated individual must then be approved by both houses of Parliament (the National Assembly and the Senate).
7. New Deputy President:
Once approved by Parliament, the nominee is sworn in as the new Deputy President.
In the meantime, the Deputy President remains in office until the process is completed. If the impeachment fails at any stage (either in the National Assembly or the Senate), the Deputy President remains in office.
INCLUSIVE NETWORK INITIATIVES (I.N.I)
