National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has provided guidance on the impeachment motion against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Wetang’ula on Tuesday, October 1 approved the special motion for impeachment of DP Rigathi Gachagua, saying all 11 grounds meet the constitutional threshold.
The speaker mentioned that the motion will have priority over all activities in the assembly whether domestic or international.
Wetang’ula stated that the National Assembly have accorded the DP the opportunity to appear in person or through his legal remonstrative for the hearing of the special motion on Tuesday, October 8.
DP Rigathi Gachagua will be given two hours to defend himself against the charges made in impeachment motion from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
“Standing orders 67 obligates that obligate the house the Deputy President an opportunity to be heard in person, send a representative or both. Further the house is under obligation to accord the DP the right to fair administrative action under article 47 and the right to fair hearing under article 50 of the constitution,” said Wetang’ula.
“Noting that the special motion will be considered on 8th October 2024, I have directed that the Deputy President be notified of his right to appear on the said date and the allocation of time from 5:00pn to 7:00 pm.”
Wetang’ula Gives Directive on the Motion
At the same time, the Speaker directed that public participation will be held across the country in all 47 counties starting Friday, October 4. In the consideration of the special motion and in the modalities of such an exercise.
“It will be absurd for any person to imagine that the motion such as one present in the house might be concluded without the participation of the public,” Wetang’ula said.
“Public participation is an integral element for the process of removal of an elected state officer from office.”
Also Read: What Next for Gachagua after Impeachment Motion Tabled?
A total of 291 Members of Parliament (MPs) have appended their signatures in support of the motion against the impeachment of DP Gachagua.
The impeachment motion against DP was tabled before parliament by Kibwezi West Member of Parliament (MP) Eckomas Mutuse Mwengi.
MP Eckomas Mwengi in the motion seen by The Kenya Times tabled 11 charges to kick DP Gachagua out of the office.
Allegations Against DP Rigathi Gachagua
Among the eleven grounds for impeachment is that DP Gachagua has inexplicably amassed a humongous property portfolio estimated at Ksh5.2 billion for the past 2 years.
Also Read: Gachagua Lists Ivy Chelimo Among Senior Staff from Kalenjin Community Working for Him
Also, the impeachment grounds include Gross violation of the Constitution or any other law pursuant to article 150 (1) (b) (1) of the constitution and Gross Misconduct (Bullying).
Gachagua is on diverse dates throughout the last two years since assuming the DP’s office accused of persistently making utterances threatening to discriminate, exclude and unlawfully deny sections of the people of Kenya and regions of the country equal opportunities for public service appointments and allocation of public resources.
Another ground of impeachment entails “Serious reasons to believe that the DP has committed crimes under sections 13 (1) (a) and 62 of the National Cohesion and Integration Act.”
Other charges against the DP are Undermining the president and the cabinet, interfering with leadership of Nairobi County government, Attack against Lady Justice Esther Maina of the High Court, violating the Oath of office, and misleading the public.
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