A censure motion against President William Ruto was filed in the Senate yesterday, as allies of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua sought to counter the ongoing impeachment motion against their man in the National Assembly.
Makueni Senator Daniel Maanzo filed the motion, which was duly approved by Senate Speaker Amason Kingi. This comes even as a similar motion against the Deputy President, filed by Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana, awaits Kingi’s approval. Mungatana’s motion accuses Gachagua of constitutional violations, similar to the charges raised against President Ruto.
In his motion, Maanzo accuses President Ruto of several constitutional breaches, including arbitrary arrests, abductions, and killings, particularly during the Gen Z demonstrations. He highlighted the president’s failure to protect citizens, citing insecurity across various regions and the deaths of dozens during the June youth protests against the Finance Bill 2024.
“President Ruto has failed to safeguard Kenyans, especially during the Gen Z youth demonstrations, where many were killed for opposing the Finance Bill,” Maanzo stated. He further argued, “We cannot be led to believe that only Gachagua violated the constitution when the president has committed far graver offenses. We cannot allow him to evade accountability for his actions.”
Maanzo also criticized the president for implementing sweeping changes in the education and health sectors without proper public participation. He noted that these policies have largely failed, leaving millions of Kenyans vulnerable. “The president’s radical policies have floundered and faced repeated legal challenges, leaving Kenyans to fend for themselves,” the senator remarked.
He also accused President Ruto of marginalizing certain groups and fueling tensions by neglecting public consultation. Maanzo cited specific actions, such as the introduction of an ambiguous Social Health Insurance Fund and the University Funding Formula, which have contributed to the collapse of key sectors like healthcare.
Additionally, Maanzo condemned an opaque deal between the government and an Indian investor to lease Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, as well as similar arrangements involving Ketraco and other public entities, claiming these deals lacked public involvement.
“He must be stopped before more public assets are mishandled in secret deals,” Maanzo charged. The senator also criticized President Ruto’s refusal to sign the Division of Revenue Bill 2024, which would have allocated Ksh 400 billion to counties. He argued that this decision, following the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024, has exacerbated suffering across the country due to reduced and delayed county disbursements
