Hours before Kenyans get a chance to give their views on the impeachment motion against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua through public participation, a section of Members of Parliament who initially supported the motion have now changed their stance.
Their initial position which was declared when their names were included in the list of 291 lawmakers who signed in support of the motion during the tabling on Tuesday, October 1 did not last for two days.
The four lawmakers hailing from the Mt Kenya region changed their tune on Thursday “after consultations from the so-called ground”, having visited their constituencies.
They retracted their support announcing that they will not support DP Gachagua’s removal from office and vowed to oppose any push to have the son of the mountain shown the door.
MPs Geoffrey Wandeto from Tetu, Njoroge Wainaina from Kieni, Nyeri women representative Rahab Mukami and her Embu counterpart Pamela Njoki have stated that they will not continue with the impeachment efforts.
“When we ask our people, they are saying they do not see this (impeachment) as a priority, they think we should be focusing on other priorities.
As representatives of the people, it behooves upon us to listen to our people and do what they have asked us. So, on Tuesday, I will be voting NO,” added Geoffrey Wandeto.
Three of the legislators hailing from Gachagua’s stronghold in Nyeri County instead expressed that what is needed is a discussion aimed at reconciling President William Ruto and his Deputy.
Also Read: Gachagua Launches Campaign to Counter Impeachment
MPs Change tune on Gachagua Ouster
Nyeri Women Representative Rahab Mukami on her part said that she “listened to the ground” in Nyeri, with the locals saying that they oppose Gachagua’s removal from office.
“After soul-searching and reading through the motion I realized this is something our deputy president and the President sit down and resolve because Kenya is bigger than all of us. I have listened to the ground and the people of Nyeri have said they do not want the deputy president removed,” said Rahab Mukami.
“Our deputy president please, go to the President and ask for forgiveness. And for our President, please sit down with our deputy, speak and reach an agreement.”
Additionally, Embu Woman Representative Pamela Njoki has indicated a change of heart. In an official letter, Njoki stated that she signed the motion but has withdrawn her support after discussions with the residents of Embu.
Other MPs from the Deputy President’s stronghold who still support this motion include Eric Wamumbi from Mathira, Wambugu Wainaina from Othaya, and Duncan Mathenge from Nyeri Town.
The u-turn by the lawmakers comes one day after their names were mentioned in Parliament among an unprecedented list of 291 members who signed and endorsed the motion to eject Gachagua from office.
Impeachment process
Ranging from both the Azimio la Umoja and Kenya Kwanza coalition, the majority of the lawmakers stood in unison to sign the motion, claiming that the second in command has grossly violated the Constitution multiple times throughout the past two years.
Also Read: Gachagua Ally Summoned Hours to Impeachment Public Participation
Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse tabled the motion, presenting 11 grounds to impeach the DP. Some of these include gross violation of the Constitution, gross misconduct, bullying, corruption, undermining the presidency among others.
The 291 MPs in support of the motion surpassed the threshold of 117 members required to table the motion.
Following the meeting of the threshold, the impeachment motion is set for public participation across all 47 counties after a directive by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula.
Public participation
The process will take place on Friday across the 290 constituencies coordinated from 47 specific locations in each of the counties.
National Assembly clerk Samuel Njoroge in a notice directed that the exercise will be conducted from 8 am to 5 pm spearheaded by officers from Parliament’s secretariat.
Attendees during the day will provide their views to the team assigned to the particular collection center which will be recorded before a report to be tabled in parliament is compiled.
The attendees will be taken through the impeachment process by officials who will preside over the event by reading out the charges stating the grounds for removal and the particulars before they give them time to give their opinions.
On the other hand. Kenyans who will not be physically present at the venues on the other hand have an option of filling special forms developed by the National Assembly.
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