BY LUKE AWICH
Vocal politicians are among 18 MPs who were a no-show as Parliament voted to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Tuesday.
Some of the big names absent include Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro and his Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.
Deputy Minority Whip Mark Mwenje also gave the vote a wide berth despite the minority coalition voting for the motion.
Nyoro, who hails from Gachagua’s Mt Kenya backyard, has been named as one of the possible replacements.
Another surprise absentee was Nyeri Woman Representative Rahab Mukami, who over the weekend made a U-turn and declared support for the DP.
Mukami alongside Njoroge Wainaina (Kieni) and Geoffrey Wandeto (Tetu) said their change of heart was informed by sentiments from their voters.
Wandeto was however present.
“After soul-searching and reading through the motion, I realised this is something our deputy president and the President can sit down and resolve because Kenya is bigger than all of us,” Mukami said.
“I have listened to the ground and the people of Nyeri have said they do not want the deputy president removed.”
Others who did not show up include Patrick Simiyu (Cherangany), Hassan Yusuf (Kamkunji), John Machua (Kiambu), Antony Njoroge (Kieni), Joseph Gitari (Kirinyaga central), Rose Museo (Makueni) Joshua Mbithi (Masinga), Abraham Kirwa (Mosop), Peter Mbogho (Mwatate), Esther Passaris (Nairobi) and David Njuguna (Ol Kalou).
Naisula Lesuuda (Samburu West), Joshua Kavinda (Kaiti) and Nicholas Ngikolong (Turkana East) were also absent.
Some of the lawmakers were within Parliament but refused to take the vote.
Babu on Wednesday defended his move saying the country is facing serious issues that need more attention. “How can I waste my precious whole day discussing Rigathi yet we have serious issues like Adani, new university funding model, SHIF, high cost of living, high taxation, unemployment among others,” he said.
“You’ll see me in Parliament when these issues are presented, but they will not bring them. I was highly engaged with other important and urgent matters affecting my constituents. The speed with which Rigathi was impeached should be the same speed used to solve Kenyans’ challenges.”
A total of 282 MPs voted to impeach the DP with 44 casting their votes against the special motion. Initially, the Speaker declared the tally as 281 in support of the motion while 44 members voted to oppose, with one abstaining.
The Speaker however clarified on Wednesday that there was a mixup with Ainabkoi MP Samuel Chepkonga’s vote not reflected in the final tally. Gachagua will have to defend himself before the Senate plenary.
This is after a motion by Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot to form a special committee to hear charges against him flopped.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna declined to second the motion, firing the mood of the house. Speaker Amason Kingi said the plenary will investigate the charges on Wednesday and Thursday next week.
The National Assembly and Gachagua have until the end of Monday to submit their evidence.
“Pursuant to Article 145 ( 3 ) of the Constitution and Standing Order 78 ( 1 ) of the Senate Standing orders, I appoint the sitting of the Senate for Wednesday, October 9, at 9:30 am as the sitting convened for the hearing,” he said in a gazette notice dated October 9.
Meanwhile, Kingi has suspended travel for Senators and members of staff in the Senate outside the country.
“Given the gravity of these matters, it is paramount that we maintain a focused presence in the Senate,” he said.
Kingi also urged the Senate committees to put on hold activities outside Nairobi county, effective Tuesday, October 8, to Saturday, October 19.