Babu Owino: Why I skipped Gachagua's impeachment vote

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino [Facebook]

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino on Wednesday said he was absent during the National Assembly's vote to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua because there are more pressing issues.

Taking to his socials, the legislator said he would not waste time to discuss the DP yet issues like SHIF, The Adani takeover and taxation are still pending.

"How can I waste my precious whole day discussing about Rigathi yet we have serious issues like Adani, the New University funding model, SHIF, High cost of living, High taxation, and unemployment among others?

"You'll see me in parliament when these issues are presented but they will not bring them. I was highly engaged with other important and urgent matters affecting my constituents," he wrote.

Babu also pointed an accusing finger at his fellow lawmakers saying they should also solve Kenyans' issues with the same vigour.

"The speed with which Rigathi was impeached should be the same speed used to solve Kenyans' challenges."

The National Assembly on Tuesday voted to impeach Gachagua with 281 MPs supporting the motion. 44 legislators voted against it while one abstained.

The Special Motion had been introduced by Kibwezi MP Mwengi Mutuse and outlined 11 charges against the DP, including gross violation of the Constitution and undermining the President.

Elsewhere, the Senate is set to determine Gachagua's fate next week after thorough examination of each of the accusations levelled against the DP.

Senators present during Wednesday's session said the matter needed to be dealt with the seriousness it deserves and all parties would be given a chance to present their respective cases.

As a result, the matter is now scheduled for a plenary hearing on Wednesday and Thursday next week. Senate Speaker Amason Kingi has since directed Gachagua to submit his responses by Monday at 5pm.