The Budget and Appropriations Committee, chaired by Ndindi Nyoro, is also in the crosshairs. Nyoro, who abstained from voting during the Gachagua impeachment motion, is expected to lose his position to Molo MP Kimani Kuria
The political fallout against allies of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in Parliament has escalated, with Laikipia Senator John Kinyua resigning from his position as a commissioner in the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC). Kinyua reportedly tendered his resignation to PSC Chairman Moses Wetangula last week after facing pressure from undisclosed sources.
Kinyua, who previously opposed the impeachment motion against Gachagua, has been replaced by Nyeri Senator Kimani Wa Matinga, whose appointment was unanimously approved by the Senate. The purge appears to be gaining momentum, with reports indicating that Nyali MP Mohammed Ali, also a PSC commissioner, is under pressure to resign. “There is intense pressure on Ali. If he doesn’t step down voluntarily, he will be forced out before Parliament breaks for recess next month,” a source revealed.
Key Parliamentary Committees Targeted
The Budget and Appropriations Committee, chaired by Ndindi Nyoro, is also in the crosshairs. Nyoro, who abstained from voting during the Gachagua impeachment motion, is expected to lose his position to Molo MP Kimani Kuria. Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia, chair of the Regional Integration Committee, has also hinted at her imminent removal, stating: “Let me make my last statement as a committee chair before I’m kicked out next week.”
Other MPs facing potential removal include Edward Muriu, James Gakuya, and Gathoni Wamuchomba, who chair key committees and have voiced support for Gachagua.
Resistance from Pro-Gachagua MPs
Despite the mounting pressure, allies of Gachagua remain defiant. Speaking at a church service in Kajiado North, Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba said: “Some of us will continue standing with the former DP Rigathi Gachagua because he is the deputy president I elected. Let nobody intimidate us.”
Kajiado Senator Seki Lenku also criticized the government for failing to address healthcare issues, accusing it of neglecting public hospitals and failing to deliver on promises related to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
Strategic Timing of the Purge
Sources indicate that the changes are strategically scheduled for early December, just before Parliament breaks for recess. “We want to avoid backlash by implementing the changes when MPs are heading for recess,” a parliamentary leader disclosed.
The process of removing independent commissioners is typically arduous, involving a tribunal and presidential approval, but the current purge appears to bypass these procedures through coercion and political manoeuvring.
Looming Implications
This purge comes against the backdrop of growing dissatisfaction within Kenya Kwanza, with pro-Gachagua MPs accusing the government of sidelining them while rewarding loyalists who supported impeachment votes. With tensions rising, the impending reshuffles could deepen divisions within the coalition as factions vie for control of powerful parliamentary committees.
As the political drama unfolds, the ultimate impact of this crackdown on Gachagua’s allies will likely shape the balance of power within Parliament and the broader Kenya Kwanza alliance.
