The Gikuyu, Embu, Meru Association (GEMA) has declared its stance over the impending impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua whose fate hangs in the balance as Members of Parliament (MPs) continue to push for his ouster.
GEMA representatives on September 26 held a meeting in Nairobi to discuss the ongoing impeachment threats against DP Gachagua.
The meeting underscored the collective commitment of the GEMA to support Gachagua and work towards a stable political environment in Kenya.
In a statement, the leaders expressed their concerns regarding the impending impeachment and further emphasized the need for stability within the government and the implications of the impeachment.
GEMA said that the DP has been at the center of ceaseless fire from a section of elected leaders, some from the Mt. Kenya region, who have been threatening him with impeachment.
In Gachagua’s defense, the leaders have called for an immediate cessation of hostilities between politicians from Mt. Kenya in particular and the country in general, saying that the focus ought to be on delivering services to Kenyans.
GEMA also said that perpetrators of hate speech should be investigated and those implicated charged.
GEMA warns MPs against impeaching Gachagua
The leaders have urged elected leaders from Mt. Kenya to cease the attacks on DP Gachagua, stop conniving to sponsor an impeachment motion and to drop it.
“We stand in solidarity with Rigathi Gachagua, the Deputy President, and demand that he should be left to finish his term. The people who voted for the President William Ruto and Rigathi Gachagua ticket gave them a five (5) years mandate which should be let to run its course,” read part of the notice.
“To isolate Rigathi Gachagua from that ticket and subject him to unwarranted public lynching and intimidation. Members of parliament should get on with their work and leave the Deputy President to do his work.”
In the event that the threat to sponsor an impeachment motion against Gachagua sails through, GEMA urged all the elected leaders with its roots to vote against the motion.
“The people from GEMA communities will consider those who continue fighting the Deputy President to be unsuitable and unworthy leaders. We state unequivocally that Rigathi Gachagua is our son and those attacking him are pursuing their greedy selfish interests,” the notice adds.
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GEMA further said that in the height of the Gen- Zs protests in August this year, its leaders sought and were granted an appointment with President William Ruto.
Meeting with Ruto
The association said that its leadership candidly discussed a number of issues with President Ruto, adding that he gave them a good reception.
At the same time, the leaders while highlighting that they remain optimistic about resolving the current political tensions through dialogue lamented that there has been an emerging isolation of GEMA communities.
“There is also emerging isolation of the GEMA Communities which is manifesting in the attempt by some of our own people to divide the community into East and West of the Mt Kenya,” read part of the notice.
“This is coming hot on the heels of insults and humiliations of the former president, Uhuru Kenyatta and various attacks on the Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua. This will have ramifications at the political, economic and social levels.”
The statement came at a time the impeachment motion against Gachagua is gaining traction with a majority of MPs having already appended their signatures to endorse it.
More than 200 lawmakers as of Thursday, September 26, evening had reportedly signed the special motion with some of the MPs saying it would be tabled in days.
Kimilli MP Didmus Barasa announced that he will be the one to sponsor the impeachment motion and claimed it had surpassed the required 117 MPs threshold for the motion to be approved by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetangula.
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