BY STAR REPORTER
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s inner circle is reportedly contemplating that he resigns and seeks asylum outside the country.
There is talk in the team that the unfolding impeachment is
devastating and could ruin the Deputy President’s political future and, of
course, wipe out his exit benefits.
Impeached persons are not allowed to hold public office,
appointive or elective, and courts only rule on the process, not the accusations.
Attempts by former governors Mike Sonko of Nairobi and Ferdinand
Waititu of Kiambu to clinch political seats after their removal failed.
Sources intimated to the Star that Gachagua’s inner sanctum had
been banking on a chance that Parliament would fail to hold public
participation on the motion.
The team has also been monitoring to catch any lapses in the
impeachment process as grounds for a possible court challenge.
Parliament, however, has invited Kenyans to give their views on
the motion moved by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse on October
4. Emails are expected by October 5.
Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah on Wednesday moved a motion to
excuse MPs from Thursday’s sittings.
“This is to allow administrative arrangements
necessary to facilitate the programme for public participation,” the Kikuyu MP said.
The development has reportedly thrown the team into a spin,
especially after 291 MPs signed up to back the motion to kick out the DP.
The overwhelming numbers show Gachagua may struggle to have 118
MPs stand by his side to defeat the motion.
In the wake of the overwhelming sign-up, his team is now mulling
the resignation route, in a bid to hand the DP a political lifeline.
It is understood there is also pressure on Gachagua to consider
leaving the country until the political temperature cools.
It is feared a state clampdown would soon be launched following
the scathing dossier that has been put out as part of the grounds for the DP’s
removal.
A meeting convened after MPs moved the motion concluded the motion
had the blessing of President William Ruto, hence limiting the DP’s survival chances.
Among the moves the team is working on, sources indicate, is for
Gachagua to quit either before defending himself at the National Assembly or
immediately thereafter.
MPs are set to vote on the impeachment motion hinged on
allegations of graft, ethnic balkanisation, and insubordination on October 8.
If the proponents raise 233 votes in the National Assembly,
Gachagua would be taken through a trial before the Senate, either by a
committee or plenary.
His side is also said to be working on reaching out to Ruto to
stop the impeachment or ask MPs to reconsider their stance.
Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru, a staunch Gachagua ally, did
not rule out resignation as an option but quickly dismissed suggestions it was
in the works.
He stated he had heard no such idea from the DP or his strategy
team, adding that Tuesday, October 8, was still a
long way to go.
“We have so many days between now and Tuesday
to reach out to more MPs. Most of them have told us they were coerced to sign
the papers,” Gathiru said.
The lawmaker said they believed there was still sufficient room
for the DP to survive the motion, adding that “even the President can call it off.”
“The vote appeared to take the path of party positions. A party position
can be changed by the President if he calls a parliamentary group meeting,” the
MP stated.
He said like the BBI, which gained traction in the House, making
it look like it had sailed through, the plug can be pulled off the Gachagua
ouster train.
“All the avenues have not been exhausted. We are still checking
our numbers. Some members told us they never signed willingly,” Gathiru said.
The MP asserted some of his colleagues may not be fully aware of
the grounds for the impeachment motion.
“We will make a better decision after seeing how the Tuesday vote will play out. We don’t want to divulge more
of our plans,” he said.
Gachagua is accused of, among others, undermining national unity
by “making inflammatory and inciteful utterances” that threaten Kenyans’ access
to equal opportunities.
He is also accused of contradicting government policies and
inciting citizens to defy county government directives.
Mutuse’s motion further alleges the DP has committed gross
economic crimes, citing conflict of interest, abuse of office, and unexplained
wealth.
Gachagua is also accused of undermining and publicly attacking the
National Intelligence Service and its officers yet he had avenues to raise any
concerns in the National Security Council.
There are also claims the DP has for two years “persistently
bullied state and public officers”, charges which are expected to play out in Tuesday's session.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale is among the leaders who had asked
the DP to consider hanging his boots instead of waiting to be kicked out.
Yesterday, the DP took a low profile
and reportedly held meetings with his close allies, including the MPs on his
side.
Back home, the Deputy President faces isolation, amid assertions
the quagmire he is in is personal, and not a community affair.
Former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo said they wished to know
what caused the rift between Gachagua and his boss.
“He needs to carry his own cross. We are yet to know what is
really happening. We can’t be told that our community is targeted either,” he
said.
Nyeri politician Thuo Mathenge said neither the Mountain nor those
angling to take over from Gachagua stand to gain from the ouster.
“Rigathi made me lose my seat but I request the people of Mt Kenya
to forgive him. If he loses, it is Odinga (Raila) and his team who would
benefit.”
The impeachment process is to be concluded in the Senate on October 27, going by the timelines set out in law.