Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino broke his silence on why he was absent during the voting of the Special Motion on removal from office, by impeachment, of DP Rigathi Gachagua in the National Assembly.
Babu Owino was among the MPs who were not in the house when Gachagua was impeached on Tuesday October 8 night by a total number of 281 lamakers.
While reacting to why he was absent during the voting, MP Babu in a statement on Wednesday, October 9 said that he was engaged in other matters, and that there were other pressing issues that needed to be addressed by the lawmakers.
He highlighted issues such as the University Funding model, the Adani-Jomo Kenyatta Intenational Airport (JKIA) deal, high taxation and unemployment among others.
The vocal MP added that he would be seen in the House if such issues are presented.
“How can I waste my precious whole day discussing about Rigathi yet we have serious issues like Adani, New University funding model, SHIF, High cost of living, High taxation, unemployment among. You’ll see me in parliament when these issues are presented but they will not bring them, ” he said.
“I was highly engaged with other important and urgent matters affecting my constituents.”
Further, Owino opined that the speed with which DP Rigathi was impeached should be the same speed used by lawmakers to solve Kenyans challenges.
Babu Owino & Other MPs Missing
The vocal Embakasi East MP was among notable names missing in the House during the voting, with Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro and his Kapseret counterpart Oscar Sudi also listed as absentees.
Also Read: Protests Erupt in Mathira After Gachagua’s Impeachment
Members of the National Assembly on Tuesday night voted overwhelmingly to impeach DP Gachagua, with total number of 281 parliamentarians voting in favor of the motion to send the second in command home.
On the other hand, 44 lawmakers opposed the ouster of President William Ruto’s deputy, with just one abstention.
The lawmakers took the vote moments after DP Gachagua put up a spirited fight to defend himself in the chambers.
Gachagua during the debate maintained his innocence and dismissed all the allegations levelled against him, terming the motion as “baseless” and a scheme to kick him out.
Further, the second in command addressed all the eleven counts, one by one, countering the motion tabled by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse with evidentiary material including video clips.
Also Read: Gachagua Impeachment Live Updates: MPs Resume Debate
Gachagua condemned the impeachment proceedings, calling them the “most shameful act” in the history of the House, asserting that legislators were attempting to oust a democratically elected leader based on fabrications.
DP Gachagua impeached
Majority of the lawmakers however voted against DP Gachagua, and met the Constitutional threshold set, which requires at least two-thirds of the members to vote in support of the Special Motion.
The motion is now set to undergo further consideration in the Senate before a final vote is taken.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula said Senate Speaker Amason Kingi will be notified about the resolution by the house within two days.
Speaker Wetang’ula further directed the Clerk to prepare the necessary documentation to accompany the resolution.
For the impeachment to be successful, it must secure the support of at least two-thirds of the members of both the National Assembly and the Senate, excluding nominated members.
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