Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua is currently attending the 34th diocesan anniversary celebrations at St Mark’s Teachers Training College, Kigari.
President William Ruto was initially scheduled to attend the event, but his visit was cancelled at the last minute.
Ruto made the decision just hours before Gachagua confirmed his attendance at the event.
This marks Gachagua’s first official appearance since his impeachment by the National Assembly.
However, the State House stated that the event was cancelled due to a scheduling conflict.
Ruto was originally set to preside over the event in July, but it was postponed after Gen Z protestors threatened to occupy churches.
President Ruto has remained silent on the impeachment of his deputy.
Mt. Kenya Political Temperature
The impeachment motion has caused sharp divisions in the Mt. Kenya region, and the president has avoided addressing the issue in his speeches.
Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika was booed while reading President Ruto’s speech during a burial in Bahati Constituency on Friday, October 11.
The crowd’s hostility forced Kenya Kwanza leaders to either cut short their speeches or stray from their topics.
Kihika struggled to convince the mourners to allow her to deliver President Ruto’s condolence message.
She quickly read the speech and thanked the mourners for their feedback to the government.
“You have become quite vocal. We appreciate your feedback,” she said in Kikuyu, trying to calm the crowd.
Former Kieni MP Kanini Kega, now serving in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), avoided the topic, stating that his focus was currently on East Africa.
“I don’t want to discuss what’s happening here. My focus is on Tanzania. Ask me about Arusha or Somalia, and I’ll have something to say,” Kega said.
Also Read: Gachagua’s Security Withdrawn? DP’s First Public Appearance Since Impeachment Raises Eyebrow
Gachagua Impeachment
Gachagua was seen in public on Saturday, October 12 at the Sarit Centre alongside his wife Pastor Dorcas Rigathi.
The DP interacted with Kenyans, enjoyed some ice cream and even bought some books from the Centre.
The Senate plenary committee will investigate Gachagua’s impeachment motion Wednesday, October 16 and Thursday.
Also Read: From Start to Voting: How Senate Will Conduct Gachagua’s Trial
Gachagua has however filed another petition to block the Senators from proceeding with the motion.
The National Assembly impeached the DP after 281 Members voted in favour of the motion.
Gachagua will be impeached if more than two-thirds of the Senators vote in favour of any of the 11 charges tabled against him.
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