A record 291 Members of Parliament yesterday signed a motion seeking the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in a rare display of unity across political party lines. MPs from the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition joined forces with their opposition counterparts to push for Gachagua’s removal from office.
Key figures behind the motion were Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, who initiated it, along with National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa, Deputy Majority Leader Owen Baya, Minority Leader and Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, and Lagdera MP Farah Maalim.
Notably, several MPs from Gachagua’s own Mount Kenya region supported the motion, including Mwangi Kiunjuri, Alice Ng’ang’a, Gitonga Murugara, Mpuru Aburi, David Gikaria, and John Kiarie. Mutuse’s motion is based on at least ten accusations, including violations of the constitution, corruption, bullying, and undermining President William Ruto. While moving the motion, Mutuse indicated that he plans to reveal the “sins” Gachagua has committed during his brief time in office in a detailed address this afternoon.
Meanwhile, the MPs urged Speaker Moses Wetang’ula to increase security for themselves and the president. Ichung’wa expressed concern, saying, “This is a serious matter, and our security cannot be taken lightly. These are the same individuals who, during the recent protests, plotted to assassinate none other than the Speaker himself. Our security should be enhanced immediately.”
Meanwhile, Gachagua has responded by holding public rallies in his Mount Kenya stronghold and giving media interviews, dismissing the impeachment effort as a political witch hunt after his fallout with the president. In anticipation of the impeachment motion, anti-riot police were deployed around Parliament and surrounding areas. Parliament Road and adjacent streets were cordoned off, restricting access to both pedestrians and vehicles, in an effort to prevent chaos similar to the June anti-government protests.
