n a dramatic turn of events, Kenyan senators have voted to remove Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua from office after he failed to testify at his impeachment trial.

Gachagua, facing 11 charges, had pleaded not guilty but didn’t appear in the Senate due to reported chest pains. His lawyer requested a postponement, but senators continued without him.

This outcome follows last week’s overwhelming impeachment vote in the National Assembly. Gachagua has called the impeachment a “political lynching” amid his fallout with President William Ruto.