Embattled Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is facing a new mountain of trouble as Members of the National Assembly opposed to him intensify their campaign to collect signatures for his impeachment.
By Thursday evening, 241 MPs had signed Gachagua’s impeachment motion exceeding the required threshold of one-third of the House’s total membership for approval.
Sources have indicated that those pushing for Gachagua’s impeachment are targeting 300 signatures by Friday evening, ahead of the expected tabling of the motion in Parliament as soon as Tuesday next week.
A high-ranking insider told reporters that Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa has filed the motion.
“Signatures are overwhelming. Tribalism has no place in modern Kenya,” Saboti MP Caleb Amisi said on X.
In a speech on Thursday, Gachagua warned President Ruto about the implications of the political landscape in 2027, stating that the “mountain (his Central Kenya backyard) is always ready to forgive but does not forget.”
This remark suggested his willingness to align with the opposition in the next general election.
However, Gachagua asserted that he harbours no political grudges against those advocating for his impeachment.
“As a people, we were there before, we are here today and we will be there tomorrow,” he stated.
He made these remarks during a memorial service in Kieni, Nyeri County, honouring 21 pupils who tragically lost their lives in a dormitory fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy.
His comments signalled acceptance towards Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and his Democratic Action Party counterpart Eugene Wamalwa, who have expressed intentions to collaborate with Mt. Kenya leaders.
Kalonzo and Wamalwa were also present at the service and pledged to support Gachagua in honour of the late President Mwai Kibaki, under whom they both served.
“I want to tell our Deputy President that God is still on the throne and we still have a nation to mould together. There is political tension in this country and we need to pray,” Kalonzo remarked.
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Wamalwa added: “As we mourn the victims of the Endarasha fire tragedy, I have heard that there are plans to set this mountain on fire. But this mountain has friends too.” He continued, “Kalonzo and I were allies of Kibaki. If that day comes, we will stand with you and you will never walk alone.”
Earlier in the day, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) recommended to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) that politicians associated with Gachagua face charges for various offences connected to the recent Gen Z protests.
This investigation was prompted by intelligence reports regarding the planning, mobilising, and financing of violent protests, implicating MPs Benjamin Gathiru Mwangi ‘Mejja Donk’ (Embakasi Central) and James Mwangi Gakuya (Embakasi North), among others, following meetings at Hotel Boulevard in Nairobi.
In a quick rejoinder, Gachagua accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of manipulating the criminal justice system for political purposes.
“I am embarrassed that we are back to where we were. Harassment of my office staff and members of Parliament perceived to be close to me has been ongoing for the last two months,” he said.
Editor’s Note: The September issue of Nairobi Law Monthly features a must-read excerpt from an upcoming book on DP Rigathi Gachagua by the @NLM_Magazine team. Get your copy for just Sh150 here https://epaper.nairobilawmonthly.com/
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