KENYA’S DEPUTY PREZ IMPEACHED

So Kenya’s Senate has impeached the country’s deputy president. Rigathi Gachagua was found guilty of inciting ethnic tensions and threatening judges - but not of charges of corruption and money-laundering. It means he won’t be able to stand for public office again. Relations between Gachagua and his (now ex) boss William Ruto have soured lately, with the former accused of funding protesters opposed to the latter’s now-shelved IMF-backed tax hikes. Senators pressed ahead with removing the deputy president despite his not having appeared and testified before them - his lawyers say he was hospitalised with chest pains. And Ruto has already nominated Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki as successor, though the High Court has ruled the appointment can’t go ahead until an appeal by Gachagua is dealt with. So, is this a welcome case of accountability? Or was it a witch-hunt that also helped distract from bigger problems facing the government?