'Orders from above' sealed Gachagua's impeachment

The die is cast for Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua after 281 members of the National Assembly voted to impeach him on Tuesday.

MPs voted after a day-long process that started with the motion’s mover, Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, prosecute his allegations. The floor was opened for debate by legislators, after which the second in command got a chance to plead his case.

Gachagua’s passionate plea was however futile, as more than two-thirds of lawmakers voted to axe the outspoken DP. This was not the first time in the past week, where things went wrong for the former Mathira MP.

When he addressed congregants during a prayer meeting at his Karen residence on Sunday, the embattled leader cut the figure of a subdued man.

The combative politician appeared to have had a moment of self-reflection ostensibly after the day’s sermon. He sought forgiveness from the president, legislators, and anyone he felt he had wronged.

He appeared subdued probably because, at the time of his speaking, 291 members of the National Assembly had appended their signatures in support of an impeachment motion against him.

At the same time, two days of public participation on his ouster bid that were held across the country had just ended the previous day.

The process, which started at the county level on Friday, was scaled down to the constituency level following a court order. The decision was in response to a petition filed by Kirinyaga Woman Representative Jane Njeri Maina, an ally of the DP.

The former Mathira MP suffered additional setbacks as 18 similar petitions filed across the country were ultimately by courts, which declined to issue orders to stop the impeachment process.

The public hearings witnessed instances of chaos in certain parts of the country. For example, in Nairobi, activist Morara Kebaso was attacked by a group of people as he attempted to express his views at the Bomas of Kenya.

The young lawyer Kebaso was among the citizens who called for the impeachment of both President William Ruto and his deputy during the public participation exercise.

Kenyans speculated about Ruto's silence on the issue, wondering if calls from some citizens to dismiss his entire administration had shaken the Head of State.

But The Standard can now confirm that legislators from ruling party United Democratic Alliance (UDA) had instructions from the president to axe his embattled deputy.

“The kufa makanga kufa dereva comments did not shake the boss (President Ruto) at all. He moved on from Gen Zs, this was nothing to him.” A UDA Senator who did not want to be mentioned told The Standard. “It is too late for him to turn back now, as this will only embolden Gachagua,” he said.

Dr Charles Nyambuga, a political communication expert, also believes that the president’s resolve to axe his deputy is strong, regardless of what the public is saying.

“When you listen to what close allies like Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungw’a were saying, you realise that he (President Ruto) had already decided that his deputy must go.”

On Monday, Boss and 19 other Woman Representatives dismissed the DP’s plea for forgiveness, terming his impeachment a necessary measure to eliminate tribalism in government.

“After tomorrow, you will never hear of Gachagua again. The Deputy President has failed to serve the President and the country diligently,” Boss said.

Kericho Women Representative Beatrice Kemei, who was hosting the women leaders at a function in Sigowet constituency, said that once the DP is impeached the 291 MPs who signed the motion would urge President Ruto to pick a successor from the Mt Kenya region.

"We need a Deputy President who embodies a national outlook, not a tribal kingpin like Rigathi. We will do what is right and just. The issue of forgiveness for Gachagua's transgressions can be addressed afterward," Kemei said. 

Gachagua's impeachment is viewed by President Ruto's allies as a symbolic break in the amicable relationship with the vote-rich Mt. Kenya region.

There is a belief that the president knows he has already lost Mt Kenya votes and is thus looking to form alliances elsewhere.

“He aims to now create confusion, divide, and conquer the mountain. He intends to create many centres of power by naming a deputy from the same region.” The UDA Senator told The Standard. “It’s a win for him if Mt Kenya has more than one presidential candidate in 2027, similar to what the late President Moi did with the late Kenneth Matiba and the late President Mwai Kibaki in 1997,” he said.

The first-time MP said Ruto is not scared of firing his deputy because, “without power, the DP will become irrelevant in the political space after a few months.”

The legislator stated they have been instructed not to comment on the impeachment motion with the media. Their strategy is to remain united to avoid being bought by the opposing side as the impeachment battle now crosses over to the Upper House.

So high are the stakes that Senators supporting the impeachment have devised a plan to prevent themselves from being ‘picked’ and taken to a hotel outside the capital. This strategy aims to "bribe" the lawmakers with a mini-vacation, forcing them to miss the plenary session and voting process.

“I’m not going to sleep at my house. We will all spend the night at a big hotel in Nairobi on the eve of the impeachment vote,” he said.

Gachagua's political survival is further complicated by the confrontational nature of his allies, who have been accused by Ruto's allies of being arrogant and loud-mouthed.