Low turnout, confusion over venue rock Rigathi's ouster public participation

Thika Residents read through the petition forms for the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on October 5, 2024. [Gitau Wanyoike, Standard]

The lack of interest from the public in the quest to oust Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua took center stage Saturday as low turnout and confusion over venues marred the second day of the public participation exercise.

In some regions, less than six people turned up for the exercise while in others, most residents claimed they were unaware of the venues of the exercise.

This happened as the few areas that were able to conduct the exercise seamlessly across the country registered mixed reactions as a clique of Kenyans maintained that the impeachment exercise should include both the DP and President William Ruto. Many maintained that the DP should be sent packing.

In Rift Valley, residents gave the exercise a wide berth in several constituencies.

In Soy constituency, only six participants had turned up for the exercise by 2pm.

The six came to the constituency office in Eldoret town one after another, filled and signed a form that contained all charges against the DP, and left for their homes.

"It is harvest season and many people are engaged in their farms. Many people are also not aware that the exercise is set to be repeated at the constituency level. Most of them participated on Friday," Soy resident Ben Kiptoo said.

About 200 residents turned up for the exercise in Kesses constituency.

In Kapenguria, Andrew Kodokwang, a resident supported the impeachment, criticizing the Deputy President's stance on the "one man, one vote" ideology.

However, Ashiono Wendo, also from Kapenguria, opposed the move, saying: "What is happening is politics and pure malice. The DP is being sacrificed for nothing."

In the Mount Kenya region, only a handful of people turned up for the exercise in constituencies in Nyeri and Murang'a counties.

A low turnout from Nyeri residents was witnessed at the session held at the Nyeri Town MP's office.

Despite the gravity of the proceedings, the MP's office was sparsely populated throughout the day, and there was heavy police presence both in the town centre and outside the constituency office.

"I expected to see a much larger crowd given how significant this impeachment process is, but it seems many people in Nyeri chose not to get involved," James Mwangi, a local resident, said

In Mombasa, the Commission for Human Rights and Justice(CHRJ) Executive Director Julius Ogogoh said the organisers failed to adhere to court orders to conduct the exercise at the constituency levels.

“CHRJ’s only interest is to ensure that Kenyans air their views on the matter. On Friday, the exercises were hijacked by politicians and their minions. Today, not much is happening,” said Ogogoh.

However, Jane Kenga, a resident said the exercise was rushed at Tononoka Social Hall as the place was booked for other functions.

“It was a one-and-a-half-hour exercise. We were few compared to Friday,” she said.

Locals said the petition should be translated into Swahili or local languages for them to read and understand.

“We should also have the whole petition, not just the summary of charges. It is absurd that MPs want us to decide on such a matter by just reading the charges with no evidence,” said Joyce Kadenge.  

Ms Kadenge, a human rights activist, said MPs bussed their supporters to social halls or offices to sign the petition.

“Public participation at the constituency level was a mock because, in some areas in Mombasa, the MPs ferried supporters to designated areas to sign the petitions,” she said.

In Jomvu constituency, area MP Badi Twalib said the exercise started slowly in the morning but picked up in the afternoon and that people were allowed to express their views.

“The exercise is going on smoothly. Let Kenyans give their views on this important exercise, and as MPs, we will abide by their decision,” said Badi.   

On Friday, police officers had difficulty controlling the huge crowd that turned up as early as 7am at the venue from Mvita, Changamwe, Nyali, Kisauni, Likoni, and Jomvu constituencies.

At Tononoka Social Hall, some residents who turned up said President William Ruto and Gachagua share blame for the economic and security problems bedevilling the country and thus should all go.

There was no activity in the morning hours at Raila Odinga County Stadium where residents expected the activity to take place.

By 2pm, there were still no signs that the public participation was going to take place.

Bonchari residents are briefed on how to fill forms by National Assembly team leader Eric Nyambati at Bonchari CDF office in Kisii County during public participation forum on planned impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

Some of the residents downplayed the public participation saying it adds no value to their lives.

In Nyanza, residents were a no-show as confusion dogged the exercise.

In the Western, however, the exercise proceeded without disruption in Matungu, Khwisero, and Navakholo constituencies in Kakamega County.

Matungu Member of Parliament Oscar Nabulindo led his constituents in the public participation exercise.

The residents accused Deputy President Gachagua of being biased for championing the interest of one region at the expense of the entire country.

Matungu residents led by Jones Lukondo supported their MP in impeaching the DP saying he has been propelling tribalism.

“We have deliberated as locals that we are behind our MP and that the DP should be impeached for representing one region,” said Lukondo.

Similarly, Khwisero MP Christopher Aseka led his people in giving out their views on the impeachment motion against Gachagua arguing that the best person to take over the position should the DP be impeached is Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.

“I am ready to vote for the removal of Gachagua from office because I am convinced that the 11 grounds are sufficient for his removal and, should he be impeached, the person who is capable of being DP is Musalia Mudavadi because he has shown to be a statesman,” said Aseka.

COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli, while attending a burial of Pauline Ayoti in Butere Constituency, hailed MPs from the Western region for spearheading public participation forums on the impeachment stating that the region has endorsed the initiative to have the DP removed from office by 90 per cent.

Report by Willis Oketch, James Omoro, Benard Lusigi, Mary Imenza, Amos Kiarie and Julius Chepkwony