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Wetang'ula lauds MPs for impeaching Gachagua

Wetang'ula exuded confidence that Gachagua's removal from office will be upheld by the courts

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by JAMES MBAKA

News27 October 2024 - 09:22

In Summary


  • Wetang'ula lauded MPs for being bold enough to remove Gachagua from office.
  • He said Kindiki fits the bill to take over from Gachagua as the country's deputy president


National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula has for the first time waded into debate about the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua from office as Deputy President.

The speaker presided over the house's session that impeached Gachagua and was in charge when MPs voted to approve Kithure Kindiki as the ousted DP's successor.

He said the House is ready to defend its resolution in the courts after Gachagua challenged his impeachment.

"We have lined up various lawyers to defend the National Assembly's decision and position in the ongoing legal battle,'' Wetang'ula said.

The Speaker expressed confidence that the conservatory orders barring the swearing-in of Kindiki as the country's second in command will be lifted.

Speaking on Saturday, Wetang'ula exuded confidence that the courts will uphold the MP's resolution to remove Gachagua from office.

"I assure Kenyans that the future is bright. I salute the majority leader and all MPs for being courageous leaders. The only currency in politics is loyalty. Loyalty to your cause, the people who elected you, your boss and what you stand for. I know Professor Kindiki understands this well,'' Wetang'ula said. 

Gachagua was impeached by the National Assembly after the majority of MPs voted to uphold charges by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse.

Wetang'ula lauded the MPs for voting against what he termed divisive politics threatening the country's stability, even as he swapped at the impeached deputy president over his politics of the mountain.

The Speaker said Gachagua's bane was his obsession with the politics of the mountain, a dangerous trend he warned was setting Kenyans against each other.

"In Kenya, we have two mountains. Those of us who come from Mt Elgon do not keep talking about the mountain,'' the Speaker said during a funeral in Tharaka Nithi on Saturday.

This was the first time that Wetang''ula was weighing in on Gachagua's removal from office.

The impeached deputy is battling for his political life in court with a three-judge bench expected to listen to consolidated petitions on October 29.

He had obtained conservatory orders barring Kindiki from being sworn in arguing that he was not accorded a fear hearing after failing to take to stand on the afternoon he fell ill and was admitted.



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