Nyeri leaders dare opposition MP to introduce DP Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment motion
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua
By Our Correspondents
Worth Noting:
- The leaders observed that by making his position known on matters affecting the region residents, leaders from other regions should not label him as tribalist.
- Further, they noted, when leaders from other areas meet or make proclamations touching on their region, no one raises a finger but when it is done in reference to mount Kenya, eyebrows are raised.
- The leaders were reacting to sentiments by
- Bumula MP Jack Wamboka who has said he will soon sponsor a motion to discuss the conduct of Gachagua in the National Assembly, accusing him of leaning too much to his Mt Kenya backyard.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s hometurf leaders have dared the opposition to table a motion calling on his impeachment.
The leaders, both in and outside the Parliament have vowed that they will use all possible means to defend the Deputy President.
Led by Nyeri County governor Mwalimu Mutahi Kahiga, the leaders have termed as hot air, the purpoted plans to have the DP removed from office.
Speaking separately, Governor Kahiga, Senator Wahome Wamatinga, Women Representative Rahab Mukami and Members of Parliament Njoroge Wainaina (Kieni) and Wambugu Wainaina (Othaya), the leaders said they will vigorously deal with such a move and make sure it falls before reaching the floor of the House.
They said that the Deputy President has done nothing wrong but making sentiments that are protective of mountain people’s interest.
The leaders observed that by making his position known on matters affecting the region residents, leaders from other regions should not label him as tribalist.
Further, they noted, when leaders from other areas meet or make proclamations touching on their region, no one raises a finger but when it is done in reference to mount Kenya, eyebrows are raised.
The leaders were reacting to sentiments by
Bumula MP Jack Wamboka who has said he will soon sponsor a motion to discuss the conduct of Gachagua in the National Assembly, accusing him of leaning too much to his Mt Kenya backyard.
“Every time Rigathi speaks you wonder whether he is the Deputy President of Kenya or Deputy President of the Kikuyu republic,” the MP said, and went on to threaten “I will bring a motion to impeach you, discuss your conduct and impeach you.”
Impeachment of a Deputy President is, however, not a walk in the park, given the majority MPs, Kenya Kwanza has in the National Assembly.
Kenya Kwanza coalition has 177 MPs in the National Assembly against Opposition Azimio’s 157. This excludes two pending by-elections in Garissa Township and Kandara whose by-elections are set for tomorrow.
And so for Wamboka’s motion to succeed, it must have the support of at least a third of all the MPs.
Anyone out to impeach the Deputy President must prove that he has grossly violated the Constitution, gross misconduct or commission of a crime under national or international laws.
Wamboka’s grounds as announced on Monday are accusations that the DP is merely leaning towards his Mt Kenya region since the election in August last year.
The last time anyone had thought of impeaching a Deputy President in Kenya is during the last years of former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s regime whose political supremos, at the time, wanted then DP William Ruto out.
Ruto, now president, had fallen out with his boss at the time, over his dalliance with Opposition leader Raila Odinga whom he later defeated in a bitter presidential contest.
While Gachagua is seen working to consolidate his support base in the Mt Kenya region following Kenyatta’s exit as the regional kingpin, many have interpreted it to mean he values the region more than the rest of the country.
Gachagua went public recently when he clashed with Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja on his plan to relocate matatus from the City center, declaring, “you should consult us before making any major decisions that affect our Kikuyu business community in Nairobi because I am the one who held a meeting and lobbied Kikuyus to elect you in Nairobi.”
These sentiments have sparked controversy on whether they border on the Executive interfering with the county affairs even as Sakaja took them in stride, assuring, “I am not at war with our Deputy President, these are issues we will resolve internally.”
He, however, effectively shelved the matatus relocation plan.
Similar Posts by The Mt Kenya Times:
- Pan-African leader calls for unity, youth empowerment and economic transformation
- Wantam or Tutam: The then what next?
- Gachagua escalates war with Ruto, questions his security
- Uhuru draws the line
- Creative Writers Mark 7th Year with 120+ Book Releases
About the Author
