By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Rigathi Gachagua, the impeached Deputy President of Kenya on Sunday raised concerns over his personal safety, following the alleged withdrawal of his security team.
He said President William Ruto would be responsible if anything happens to him, noting that his safety is at risk.
“It’s the most unfortunate thing that has ever happened in this country that you can be so vicious to a man who helped you to be President,” he told journalists, referring to Ruto, whose candidacy he supported in the 2022 elections.
Gachagua was impeached on Thursday on five out of 11 charges including gross violation of the constitution and stirring ethnic hatred, in a motion that was backed by opposition lawmakers and Ruto allies.
He denied all the allegations against him, noting that they are politically motivated.
Police spokeswoman Resila Onyango declined to make an immediate comment and said she would make inquiries about Gachagua’s allegation on the security protection.
On Friday, Parliament approved the appointment of Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki to replace Gachagua.
The court blocked Kindiki’s swearing-in pending the legal challenges from Gachagua and others.
Ruto, who has fallen out with Gachagua in recent months, has not commented on the impeachment proceedings.
On Sunday, while addressing a national holiday celebration, Ruto called for national cohesion and an end to “tribalism and exclusion”.
The embattled Deputy President mobilized votes from his stronghold in central Kenya, which helped Ruto emerge victorious in the 2022 election over his main challenger and veteran opposition, Raila Odinga.
