Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has termed plans to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua as a direct attack on the people of the Mount Kenya region.
Terming the grounds for Rigathi’s planned ouster from his position as “frivolous”, Kahiga said that those behind the impeachment motions should brace themselves for retaliation from the region that gave President William Ruto 3.5 million votes during the 2022 General Election.
“I must say that where an impeachment motion is being considered against the Deputy President, that is an affront towards the Mountain. That is an attack on us as the people and we will not take it lying down, it has consequences,” said Kahiga who was speaking on the sidelines of an induction and orientation ceremony of newly hired county government staff.
“Whoever feels that that is the way to go we tell them to bring it on, we will deal with it when the time comes,” Kahiga added.
On Tuesday, the Standard Newspaper revealed resolutions of a night meeting held over the weekend and hosted by a Cabinet Secretary nominee, to introduce an impeachment motion against the DP.
According to the newspaper article, the 21 Members of Parliament who attended the meeting have accused the DP of gross misconduct as well as gross violation of the Constitution.
The DP is also accused of mobilizing and inciting ethnic rivalries. Mr Gachagua is also accused of insubordination by urging Members of Parliament to listen to the ground and oppose the Finance Bill 2024.
But Kahiga said that instead of kicking him out, his accusers should applaud him for being in touch with the political realities on the ground.
“I think we should be clapping for this man because ultimately the Finance Bill was rejected by Kenyans and it says he has a connection with the ground as opposed to those people who were sent to Parliament to represent people but instead represent an individual who tells them what to do,” said Kahiga.
At the same time the Nyeri governor has also appealed for political sobriety as calm resumes after five months of protests by Gen Z. He noted that the country has already lost two years to bickering and political supremacy battles and called on the political class to work on delivering the development agenda.
On the impending vetting of Cabinet Secretary nominees by the National Assembly, Kahiga asked Members of Parliament to uphold integrity during the selection process. Kahiga has advised the legislators to listen to voices of Kenyans and to desist from being held hostage by their political biases when choosing the next set of CSs.
“We know we still have the issue of Cabinet Secretaries to be looked into but mine is a rallying call I have made to MPs, please listen to the ground so that you don’t create more problems for Wananchi.
If they say they don’t want an individual feel free to act accordingly. I have said before that the President has 50 million Kenyans to choose from and he should not be held hostage by any people for any reason in terms of putting up the team he will work with,” said Kahiga.
– By Wangari Mwangi / KNA
Email your news TIPS to Editor@nairobilawmonthly.com, and to advertise with us, call +254715061658 anytime of the day
