The push to oust Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua gained momentum on Friday, October 4 when a public participation exercise took place countrywide. However, amidst the political noise, Pressure is mounting on some state officials to resign for pushing the impeachment. One such Kenyan on the spot is Labour Cabinet Secretary Dr. Alfred Mutua.
Mutua, who also doubles up as Maendeleo Chap Chap party leader was at the Machakos Social Hall drumming up support for the motion to kick out Gachagua.
CoFeK Secretary General Stephen Mutoro on October 4 challenged the CS to choose either to serve as a Cabinet Secretary or as the political Party Leader of Maendeleo Chap Chap.
“If the President is quiet on the matter, on what basis would you, as CS, publicly ask your second-in-command, the DP, to go? What if he doesn’t go?” Mutoro’s statement read in part.
Further, the statement reiterated that the CS is offending Articles 73 and 75 of the Constitution. The activist noted that the CS is using public resources such as personal aides and cars to conduct a partisan and personal campaign, which offends Article 27(4) of the Constitution of Kenya.
Moreover, the statement added that Rigathi is battling MPs at the National Assembly and later at the Senate and not fellow members of the Cabinet.
“Does the oath of collective responsibility apply to ill-will and the ouster campaign of your seniors in Cabinet?” the activist further questioned.
In addition, he sought to know whether a campaign to remove Gachagua can amount to public participation. He finally warned the CS, citing that he should be aware that a petition could be loading against him. He admonished him to go slow and focus on his work.
Also Read: Duale Speaks on Gachagua Impeachment After Censure Motion
Mutua’s Remarks on Gachagua’s Impeachment
Mutua emphasized why Gachagua must leave office.
Part of the statement cited, “As a resident and voter of Machakos County, the first Governor of Machakos, and a proud Kenyan patriot, I stood with my fellow citizens.
We heard the charges of impeachment brought against Deputy President H.E. Rigathi Gachagua,” he added.
Furthermore, he continued to affirm that he and the residents at Machakos Social Hall listened as the case was laid out point by point.
He hinted at getting an opportunity to ask questions for clarity, after which he announced his stand, “For me, the conclusion is undeniable: Kenya deserves better leadership.”
Mutua addressed residents of Machakos, highlighting that President William Ruto has never launched any development projects in Ukambani. He attributed the reason to the shareholding politics being propagated by DP Gachagua.
He said the region also deserves development, such as roads, and they want to give President William Ruto the opportunity to work by impeaching the DP.
Also Read: Kicking Out Gachagua: Public Participation Deadline Extended
CS Duale on Impeachment Motion
Notably, Mutua is not the only CS who has openly campaigned for the impeachment of the DP. His Environment counterpart Aden Duale in a statement on October 3, also reiterated on the public participation exercise.
He cited that Article 118 of the Constitution provides that Parliament should facilitate public participation and involvement in the legislative and other business of Parliament.
He then added that Courts have affirmed the public participation requirement in several precedent setting decisions.
Notably, the court guided by the Supreme Court, in the case of former governor Sonko, guided that “public participation is an integral process in an impeachment process.”
Additionally, he remarked that the impeachment cases relating to former governor Wambora and Governor Waiguru all upheld the need for public participation.
Furthermore, Duale affirmed that public participation is a must in considering any business of Parliament including impeachment motions.
For instance, he illustrated that during his 8 years as a Leader of Majority Party in the National Assembly, he experienced the application of the rule on public participation in law making.
“This is hence a guiding rule that cannot be wished away including for the impeachment motion currently before the National Assembly,” he stated.
Other top-ranking government officials including Interior CS Kithure Kindiki Presidential Advisor Moses Kuria have also supported the impeachment of Gachagua.
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Mwengi Mutuse who moved the impeachment motion against DP Gachagua. PHOTO/Mutua
