With Parliament calling for public participation in the impeachment motion against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, two constitutional violations led to the troubles he is facing.
In a detailed motion brief, Gachagua is accused of making unilateral public statements inconsistent with the policy positions of the government led by President William Ruto.
“On or around April 30, 2024, the Cabinet passed a resolution to evacuate people residing along the Nairobi River. However, Gachagua, shortly after, opposed the cabinet resolution that sought to ensure public safety and climate change mitigation,” part of the motion read.
Another claim against the Deputy President regards his utterances about governance, where he remarked that Kenya belonged to particular shareholders.
“In March 2023, the president said Kenya belongs to all, notwithstanding how people voted in the 2022 general elections, and that he would ensure the government does not discriminate against anyone. However, Rigathi Gachagua, speaking after the president at another public forum, contradicted him by saying that Kenya is like a company where the provision of government services is based on shares,” the motion added.
The motion, which was moved by Kibwezi West Member of Parliament Mwengi Mutuse, accuses Gachagua of making numerous other divisive utterances at public forums, terming his statements impeachable offenses.
How Gachagua Violated Constitutional Provisions
Gachagua’s utterances are said to undermine the discharge of the national government’s executive mandate, violate collective responsibility, and are equivalent to insubordination of the president, which is incompatible with his constitutional status as the principal assistant to the president.
The deputy president has also been accused of undermining devolution after he stormed Wakulima Market in Nairobi to oppose the evacuation of traders.
“On or around September 20, 2024, Rigathi Gachagua unlawfully interfered with the running of Nairobi City County government by holding a public rally in which he incited against lawful directives of the Nairobi City County Government on the planning and relocation of markets,” the impeachment brief explained.
Also Read: Wetang’ula Issues Way Forward on the Impeachment of Gachagua
While tabling the impeachment motion in parliament on October 1, 2024, Mutuse defended the move stating that he was only doing his job.
“I want to make it clear to this house and Kenyans that I have no malice, no ill-will, and no personal vendetta against the Deputy President. I am simply fulfilling my duty as a citizen and member of parliament,” Mwengi stated.
The Next Steps of Gachagua’s Impeachment
Speaker Moses Wetangula approved the motion for the impeachment of Gachagua saying all 11 grounds met the constitutional threshold.
The accusations against Gachagua include gross violations of the constitution, promoting ethnic discrimination, and undermining national unity through divisive public statements.
Also Read: Gachagua Calls Out Ruto’s Aide, Clarifies His Son’s Multibillion Businesses
291 members of parliament signed the impeachment motion that saw it sail through to the next steps of public participation and voting by members of Parliament.
On October 2, the National Assembly announced that public participation forums will be held in the 47 counties in the country and submissions can also be sent through post, email, or hand-delivered to parliament buildings.
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