Kenya’s ousted Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Sunday lashed out at his boss William Ruto as “vicious” and cruel, warning that his life could be in danger.

The Senate impeached Gachagua on five out of 11 charges levelled against him on Thursday, but a court order put his replacement process on hold.

“I am shocked by how vicious a man I helped to be president, believed in and was persecuted when I supported could be so vicious against me,” he told reporters.

The embattled 59-year-old said his security had been withdrawn and his entire staff sent on compulsory leave.

“If anything happens to me or my family, President William Ruto must be held to account,” he said, claiming past attempts at his life.

He was speaking after he was discharged from a hospital in the capital Nairobi where he was being treated for severe chest pains.

Gachagua fell ill on Thursday barely an hour before he was due to testify in the unprecedented two-day impeachment trial.

The upper house proceeded to vote on his removal from his office after his lawyers unsuccessfully bid to postpone the session.