Chaos, disinterest mark DP Gachagua's public impeachment forums

Nyeri residents react to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua impeachment plan during the public participation on October 4, 2024. [Kibata Kihu, Standard]

President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration’s efforts to rally public support for the impeachment bid against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua ran into hurdles after yesterday’s public participation exercises turned chaotic as proponents ran into hostile grounds in several counties.

What would have been an expression of views from Kenyans over Gachagua’s conduct, turned into a disapproval of President William Ruto’s leadership in Mount Kenya, Western, parts of Rift Valley, and parts of Nyanza.

Residents described the exercise as a move in futility and a misplaced priority for a country that is grappling with several woes and controversies that are yet to be resolved.

In some places, angry youths stormed the venue of the public participation exercises and demanded its stop, arguing that an impeachment motion should have included the President himself. Others expressed pessimism over the prospects of their views being considered in the final report, arguing that the exercise was predetermined.

This happened as members of Parliament who had drummed up support for the impeachment gave the public participation exercises a wide berth amid heightened hostilities from their constituents.

In Nakuru, Nyeri, Embu, Makueni, Kitui and Kakamega the public participation exercises turned into a “Ruto Must Go” chants with residents claiming that the government was taking Kenyans for a ride. Opposing groups also clashed with the president’s supporters also throwing their weight behind the impeachment.

In the President’s hometown of Eldoret, police officers were forced to eject rowdy youth who disrupted the exercise at the Uasin Gishu County Hall in Eldoret City.

All the county’s seven elected MPs from Kapseret’s Oscar Sudi, Julius Ruto of Kesses, David Kiplagat (Soy), Moiben’s Phylis Bartoo, Turbo’s Janet Sitienei, and Ainabkoi’s Samuel Chepkong’a as well as Woman Rep Gladys Shollei gave the exercise a wide berth.

Trouble ensued moments after the first three residents gave their oral submission to a parliamentary team led by a National Assembly legal officer Abenayo Wasike, who presided over the exercise.

Residents Jonah Ruto and Mary Mwihaki had presented their submission and a third person was speaking when the session turned dramatic.

One of the groups chanted "Gachagua Must Go" and started attacking those opposed to his removal.

The youth also clashed outside the Uasin Gishu county headquarters.

Nyeri residents react to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua impeachment plan during the public participation on October 4, 2024. [Kibata Kihu, Standard]

In Nandi County, locals told President Ruto to iron out his differences with his deputy for the sake of peace in the country.

Isaac Sang, a resident of Aldai Constituency said there were pertinent issues including the economic and development agenda and that impeachment was a waste of time and public resources.

“Both the President and his deputy were elected on one ticket under the UDA party, and their political differences should not hold the country hostage,” Sang opined.

Similarly, in Nakuru, officials spearheading the process at the Nakuru Agricultural Society of Kenya ground were forced to leave with their gadgets after chaos erupted at 10am.

The participants were blaming the organizers for failing to communicate early regarding the venue change from Red Cross to ASK grounds.

After the chaotic scene at ASK ground, participants proceeded to demonstrate on the streets chanting songs that President William Ruto and his Deputy should be impeached.

John Njoroge, a resident of Bahati alleged that there was foul play on the last-minute changes which might have locked out participants

He claimed that the President and his deputy should not involve Kenyans in their feuds but instead find a solution to address the country’s problems.

“Why did the organiser fail to inform us of the changed venue? I was there by 8am only to find a poster on the wall stating that the exercise would be held at ASK ground. It seems there is a hidden agenda,” Njoroge said.

In Naivasha, residents accused President William Ruto of betraying voters. Tens of area residents and leaders backed the DP warning of mass demonstrations if he was impeached.

Viwandani MCA Mwangi Muraya accused the President and a section of MPs of dividing the country and failing to deliver their promises.

He said the country was recording scandals every week including the Social Health Insurance Fund and the JKIA takeover as elected leaders debated on petty issues.

“We are fully behind the DP who was duly elected by Kenyans and we shall not be intimidated by a few individual MPs who have been bribed,” he said.

This was echoed by former MCA Simon Wanango who accused the President of continued lies and failing to protect his DP who supported him during the elections.

In Nyandarua County, residents unanimously agreed to oppose the impeachment motion against Gachagua. They argued that there was no evidence against his removal.

Led by Kanjuiri Ward MCA Thuo Gachino, the residents said that the case against Gachagua was political.

“Why has the President been silent on this matter? We should not prosecute our own who has done nothing wrong to this republic”, he said.

Youth leader Macharia Mukua urged elected MPs to listen to the views of the public. “Let them listen to us since they will need us to come in 2027. We are supporting one of our sons. Failure to which, let them be aware that they will all go home,” he said.

In the Mount Kenya region, the exercise flopped in some counties after chaos erupted amid claims that some forms had been signed.

In Nyeri, hundreds of residents braved the morning cold at the Nyeri Cultural Centre in Nyeri town to voice their opposition to the impeachment motion.

Around 10am, normal operations were paralyzed after angry residents walked out of the venue where the public participation was taking place and marched toward one of the hotels after details emerged that some of the Nyeri MPs were having a private meeting with their supporters.

In Kirinyaga, residents boycotted the signing of the forms at Kerugoya and instead converged at the grounds to make a declaration of their resolve to protect Gachagua.

“We had a declaration and we have said Gachagua is going nowhere,” said Jane Maina a participant.

In Murang’a, there was a near clash between the proponents of the impeachment and those opposed at Murang’a University of Technology hall.

The presence of the police led by Murang’a East Police Commander Mary Wakuu averted the chaos as they separated the two warring groups of youth.

In Western, the public participation forum that was organized at Magharibi Social Hall in Kakamega County turned into a shouting match as two opposing groups clashed.

One group allied to Gachagua started chanting the slogan ‘Ruto Must Go’ when forms were brought for people to sign on the impeachment which led to another faction allied to Ruto started chanting ‘Gachagua Must Go’.

Furthermore, the two groups interrupted the forum and decided to address the media.

Additionally, a section of the residents argued that Kenyans are being treated to diversionary tactics when the country is facing serious issues.

Kiambu residents gave the exercise a wide berth, terming it a sham since the outcome had been predetermined.

Tension remained high in the town with groups talking in hushed tones before breaking in anti-Ruto songs, disrupting the exercise at the Kiambu Social Hall.

They wondered why some of the MPs who had appended their signatures on the impeachment process had not turned up.

 “We want all our MPs here. We can't be used again as rubber stamps of their cunning ways hidden as a national agenda," said Peter Mwangi.

Public participation in the impeachment plan against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at Tononoka Social Hall in Mombasa County on October 4, 2024. [Kelvin Karani, Standard]

Save for Machakos where the exercise went on peacefully, the rest of Ukambani region witnessed chaos.

At the Wote Green Park in Makueni, there were claims that those brought to the venue were from Kibwezi West represented by Mwengi Mutuse, the mover of the impeachment Motion.

“The public participation was no any priority. There are other pressing needs for Kenyans, especially the cost of living,” said Mutua James.

Leaders kept off but political inclinations and 2027 succession politics were at play with goons chanting “Mutuse must go”.

The exercise was stopped for hours with parliamentary officers leading whisked away by police.

However, some supported the Motion. “The grounds that were laid before the National Assembly are weight and because power belongs to the people then we are here to end the tribal card that the DP has been using,” said Charles Mulei.

In Kitui, even MPs Nimrod Mbai (Kitui East), Rachael Nyamai (Kitui South) and Charles Nguna (Mwingi West) who signed the Motuon did not show up.

Some residents backed Gachagua, saying he had shown a willingness to work with Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

"When Kibaki was in trouble, Kalonzo came to his rescue. Now that they also want to slay Gachagua, Kalonzo is on his side. We hope the people of Mt Kenya will reciprocate that good gesture in 2027," said Katiwa Nzoka of Mwingi.

Some Mutuse, claiming he was being used. "Mutuse is on his own. As a community we are behind Gachagua," said Paul Makasi.

Report by Stephen Rutto, Edward Kosut, Irissheel Shanzu, Lucas Ng’asike, Benard Lusigi, Yvonne Chepkwony, Sophia Matoya, James Munyeki, Anthony Gitonga, Amos Kiarie, Jane Mugambi, Boniface Gikandi, George Njunge, Stephen Nzioka, Philip Muasya and Erastus Mulwa