BY LUKE AWICH
In a historic move, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua became the first DP to be impeached last night, marking a significant moment in Kenya’s political landscape. An overwhelming majority of 281 members of Parliament voted in favour of the motion to remove him, while only 44 opposed it.
This decisive vote met the two-thirds threshold required by law, prompting National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula to announce that the resolution would be transmitted to the Senate, where a trial would ensue.
Gachagua is expected to dash to court to try and block the Senate from deciding on the matter.
The atmosphere in the National Assembly was charged as Gachagua took the floor to defend himself against the impeachment motion, which he argued was not just an attack on him but on his boss, President William Ruto.
In a calculated move, Gachagua played video clips during his defence, attempting to implicate Ruto in the very crimes he was accused of.
The videos featured Ruto criticising various security agencies, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigation, and lamenting the inefficiency of state officers.
“I learnt from my boss that public officers must be called to order when they fall short of expectation,” Gachagua said, emphasising that his words were merely a reflection of Ruto’s previous sentiments.
He questioned the fairness of the allegations against him, pointing out that Ruto never faced impeachment for his criticisms of the Inspector General or the DCI. Gachagua defended his actions by reminding MPs of Ruto’s stance against forced evictions.
“The Deputy President is being accused of undermining his boss by doing what his boss said we should never do—brutally evict the people of Kenya,” he argued, asserting that his intentions had been misrepresented.
However, his defence was met with scepticism from the opposition. Kibwezi East MP Mwengi Mutuse, who spearheaded the impeachment motion, presented a comprehensive case against Gachagua.
He laid out 11 allegations, supported by video evidence, that painted a picture of a Deputy President unfit for office.
The overwhelming sentiment among MPs was that Gachagua’s abrasive rhetoric had fostered division and that he had repeatedly placed personal interests above public service.
Speaker Wetang’ula set a critical tone, criticising Gachagua’s conduct, especially regarding a press briefing he held before his appearance before the House.
Wetang’ula described the DP’s actions as “abhorrent” and called for greater decorum, particularly concerning issues currently before the Assembly. Gachagua’s defence, which he characterised as a political witchhunt, was further undermined by the testimonies of various MPs.
Minority Whip Millie Odhiambo pointed out that Gachagua’s public statements had left little room for sympathy.
“If the Deputy President had been quiet, he would have carried many people in this House, but he did not tame his tongue,” she said.
The allegations against Gachagua included accusations of coercing the sale of his deceased brother’s properties and transferring his companies to his sons, who allegedly secured a Sh600 million loan.
Critics questioned the legitimacy of such transactions involving individuals in their early twenties and called for accountability.
Deputy Majority Leader Owen Baya echoed these sentiments, drawing parallels between Gachagua’s actions and past political scandals. He recalled the controversial removal of former Deputy Chief Justice Nancy Baraza, suggesting that Gachagua’s alleged improprieties warranted similar consequences.
The debate took a personal turn when Nyandarua Woman Representative Faith Gitau condemned Gachagua’s treatment of women, asserting that he had lowered the dignity of his office through derogatory comments toward female leaders.
This sentiment resonated with several MPs, who expressed disappointment in the Deputy President’s behaviour. As the motion progressed, several MPs emphasised that the decision to impeach Gachagua was not a reflection of regional sentiments but rather a matter of accountability.
Ugenya MP David Ochieng’ clarified, “We are not impeaching Mt Kenya; we are not impeaching a Kikuyu…he has alienated Mt Kenya from the rest of the country.”
The session was punctuated by lighter moments when Tetu MP Geoff rey Wandeto attempted to withdraw his support for the impeachment motion, only to be rebuffed by the Speaker. Wetang’ula clarified, “Once you append your signature to a Special Motion, you have crossed the Rubicon and you cannot withdraw that signature.”
With the National Assembly’s verdict now passed, Speaker Wetang’ula is set to transmit the resolution to the Senate within two days.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi will then have seven days to convene the House, where senators will decide whether to conduct the trial through a committee or in plenary.
If a committee is chosen, it will have 10 days to report back to the Senate, where both parties will present their cases before a final vote on Gachagua’s impeachment.
The outcome of this trial holds significant implications for Kenya’s political future. If Gachagua is impeached, he will cease to hold office, marking a pivotal moment in the administration of President Ruto.
As the nation awaits the Senate’s
decision, the political ramifications
of this historic impeachment will
continue to unfold, reshaping the
contours of power and accountability in Kenya.