The Office of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has issued a clarification on a planned press briefing which was viewed as a platform to tender his resignation.
The viral post circulating online alleged that DP Gachagua was to hold a media briefing on Wednesday, October 16, at his official residence in Karen.
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A section of social media users claimed that the second in command was set to resign during his address to the media.
However, Head of Communications in DP Gachagua’s office flagged the viral poster circulating online as fake to dispel the rumors.
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The Office of the Deputy President also flagged another post shared on Tuesday with a fake stamp attached on it to inform the public that it is not true.
Members of Parliament (MPs) impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Tuesday, October 8, night after a lengthy and raucous debate.
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Also Read:Gachagua’s Impeachment to Proceed- Court Rules
DP Gachagua on Resigning
Many people had insinuated that instead of a self-serving, long fight in the courts, Gachagua should resign and save his career, which will almost certainly be blighted by an impeachment at the Senate.
Gachagua on October 7 had stated that he would not resign amid the impeachment motion against him over a raft of allegations among them gross misconduct.
“When I called this press conference, there was a lot of speculation that I want to resign. This is a man elected by 7.2 million Kenyans; how dare you suggest I resign without public participation? I have no intention of resigning from this job and I will fight until the end,” he told the Media.
“I will get justice and carry out my duties as DP. Anybody sending me messages to resign is a joker. I have done nothing wrong to Kenyans. The impeachment of a Deputy President is not a trivial matter that can be swiftly decided by a few Members of Parliament (MPs) and senators.”
Gachagua stated that he was committed to seeking justice through independent institutions, expressing hope that his impeachment would be dismissed.
“Certain individuals have tried to use my friends to sweet-talk me. My friends, I don’t want to become enemies with you. If you’re given such meaningless messages, please don’t bring them to me,” he warned.
Also Read: Ksh8 Million Instant Payment Gachagua Will Receive if he Resigns
High Court Declines to Stop Senate Trial Against Gachagua
Meanwhile, Justice Chacha Mwita of the High Court of Kenya on Tuesday October 15, ruled on the Special Motion regarding the impeachment of the DP, alllowing the Senate to proceed with the plenary hearing set for Wednesday.
A total of 26 cases had been submitted to the court to challenge the Senate’s planned impeachment proceedings. Petitioners urged the court to suspend the Senate’s actions, arguing that the proceedings should be paused to allow the judiciary time to review the 20 pending petitions questioning the impeachment’s legality.
Gachagua’s legal team, led by Senior Counsel Paul Muite and lawyer Tom Macharia, requested Justice Chacha Mwita on Monday to issue an order halting the impeachment proceedings against the Deputy President.
They argued that the National Assembly’s impeachment process was unconstitutional, citing insufficient public participation as a critical flaw.
“The public was denied their democratic rights, with participation purportedly conducted only at county headquarters for a single day, while the impeachment vote proceeded simultaneously at the National Assembly on October 8, 2024,” Muite argued.
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