Following an impeachment motion tabled in parliament against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua today, October 1, 2024, the next steps are vital for the second in command.
Kibwezi West Member of Parliament Mwengi Mutuse tabled the motion that saw over one-third of lawmakers sign it, seeking to impeach Gachagua over gross violation of the constitution.
The National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has granted seven days, starting today October 1, 2024, to dispense with the motion.
After the tabling of the motion, the mover Mwengi Mutuse will now move a procedural motion to allow parliament to debate the motion. In that regard, the mover will go count by count on the ground for impeachment and members of parliament will then take a vote.
For the impeachment motion to proceed, the motion requires a two-thirds majority for it to pass. The chances of Gachagua saving his position in government will depend on how he plays his political cards.
If the motion sails through parliament, the speaker of the national assembly then notifies the speaker of the senate of the developments and submits the evidence.
Mwengi will then be required to appear before the senate’s select committee and will table the evidence afresh.
The Senate committee will then consider the evidence tabled and either upload or dismiss the motion. Once the decision is made, the speaker of the Senate communicates to the president the outcome.
Grounds for Gachagua’s Impeachment
The motion Mwengi presented in parliament accused Gachagua of gross misconduct, including denying people equal opportunities for public service appointments and allocation of public resources.
Also Read: Inside Rigathi Gachagua’s Multibillion Empire
While tabling the motion in Parliament, Mutuse stated that 291 MPs signed the petition to remove the Deputy President from office by impeachment, stating that he was implementing his mandate as a legislator.
“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.
Speaker Moses Wetangula approved a motion for impeachment of Gachagua saying all 11 grounds meet 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: ODM MP Refuses to Impeach Gachagua
At the end of September 2024, Gachagua had a television interview that exposed a rift in his relationship with President William Ruto. He called on Ruto to defend him against leaders plotting to oust him from the government.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel for real-time news updates:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaB3k54HltYFiQ1f2i2C
