Kicking Out Gachagua: Public Participation Deadline Extended

The National Assembly has extended the public participation exercise on the special Motion for the impeachment, of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that kicked off today Friday October 4.

The public participation exercise has been extended by one day to Saturday October 5, 2024, from 8:00am t0 5:00pm.

In a statement on Friday, October 4, the Clerk of the National Assembly announced that the High Court of Kenya, sitting in Kerugoya, recognized the public hearings and ordered the National Assembly to organize similar hearings at the constituency level, ensuring they are closer to the citizens.

This is aimed at allowing constituents of Members of Parliament involved in the impeachment process to engage and participate in hearings or other suitable methods, enabling citizens at the constituency level to present their views and representations.

“Now therefore, it is notified to the general public that further to the public participation exercise which commenced on 2 October, 2024, and the collection of views across the Venues and Constituency/County Women Representative Offices on 4th October, 2024, the 290 Constituency Offices and 47 County Women Representative Offices of all Members of the National Assembly, which are offices under the Parliamentary Service Commission, shall remain open on Saturday, 5th October, 2024 from 8.00 am to 5.00pm to facilitate further public participation on the Special Motion,” read the statement in part.

Dp Rigathi Gachagua Addresses A Meeting With National Disaster Response Steering Committee On May 6, 2024. Photo/Dpcs — DP Rigathi Gachagua addresses a meeting with National Disaster Response Steering Committee on May 6, 2024. Photo/DPCS

Also Read: Gachagua Impeachment: Confusion as Court Orders Fresh Public Participation

Public Views on Impeachment Motion Against Gachagua Extended

According to the Clerk, members of the public may submit their views relating to the Special Motion to the aforesaid respective Constituency/County Women Representative Offices for onward transmission to the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly.

Furthermore, members of the public may also continue forwarding their views to the Clerk of the National Assembly, P.O. Box 41842-00100, Nairobi: delivering by hand to the Office of the Clerk, Main Parliament Buildings. Nairobi; or by emailing to [email protected] to be received on or before Saturday, 5th October 2024 at 5.00 p.m.

Also Read: Boost for Gachagua as MPs Take U-Turn in Surprise Move

Court Ruling on Public Participation Exercise

The National Assembly’s decision comes after the court ruling to conduct a second round of public participation after Kirinyaga Woman Representative Jane Maina filed a petition at the High Court, challenging the adequacy and the effectiveness of public participation which began today.

In its ruling the court deemed the public participation currently being undertaken at the county level insufficient adding that the court, the public Hearings to be held on October 4 may proceed as a first stage of public participation.

The lawmaker in her petition argued that the ongoing debate on DP Gachagua’s impeachment was a matter of national concern that required full public engagement.

In addition, Njeri urged the court to compel Speaker Wetang’ula to direct public participation to be conducted at Sub-County levels against the initial directive that it be done at the County level.

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