Kenya’s lawmakers have approved a motion to impeach the country’s deputy president, following daylong discussions and after Rigathi Gachagua appeared in parliament to defend himself against several charges,

He said the move to impeach him was linked to tensions with President William Ruto. The unprecedented impeachment motion passed in the National Assembly, with 281 out of 349 members voting in favor, exceeding the required two-thirds majority.

Kenya's senate will next week debate whether to dismiss Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, the senate speaker said on Wednesday, after the national assembly voted to impeach Gachagua.