Kiambu residents divided over Gachagua's impeachment

As embattled Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua moves to court Tuesday to challenge his impeachment, Kiambu county residents have expressed mixed reactions over his predicament.

While some indicated that they were not happy with the turn of events, others said the second in command got what he deserved. 

Egron Wainaina a cyclist in Thika town said he was disappointed that MPs and senators let Gachagua down at the hour of need.

“It’s okay; they did what they were ordered to do by their master, but let them know their fate is sealed, our faith and only hope is in the Judiciary," Wainaina said.

Karanja Muchai a Kiambu politician claimed the impeachment process was opaque. “Who printed the papers, who counted the votes and where, how were the votes counted and by who, were Gachagua agents present?" He posed.

Karanja opined that Gachagua's ouster will have far reaching consequences as many Mt Kenya MPs who voted for the impeachment will be rejected at the ballot.

“It will be a revolt against betrayal, a revolt against the Finance Bill, a revolt against a flawed public participation that misrepresented our wish and a revolt against high cost of living," he said.

Justina Wamae, who was Roots Party presidential running mate said the impeachment was a political process and some of the grounds advanced by the move of the motion, Mwengi Mutuse were genuine.

“The issue of shareholding in the government seems to have irked many and it was part of the petition by Mutuse. Some people felt like they were not part of this country, we also felt bad when we went to other counties to do business and we were linked to Gachagua or were perceived to share in his school of thought,” she said.

Wamae believes the shareholding talk and insistence that Mt Kenya should not be 'touched' was the DP's undoing.

"Gachagua impeachment was a political process, we as Kenyans had no say, and the MPs had the powers and they did so as directed by whoever. The process was within the timeline but it was rushed raising eyebrows," she said.

A retired civil servant from Landless estate in Thika West, Kungu wa Regina said Gachagua's problems were of his own making.

"After many MPs voted against him when President Ruto was choosing his running mate, he held a grudge against them when he came into power. He should take this time to relax and learn from his mistakes," said Kung’u.

Last week, Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu affirmed that the Judiciary will uphold the Constitution when handling the matter.

Justice Mwilu emphasised that the impeachment process is a constitutional matter and not an unprecedented case.

"Everything has its first, but this impeachment is not unique; it is simply the application of the Constitution," she said.

Kimani Mwangi appealed to the Judiciary to ensure justice to  Gachagua claiming that the National Assembly and Senate violated his fundamental rights.

“We as the people of Kenya we are reminding President William Ruto that if he continues to disobey court processes in respect to the matter facing Rigathi Gachagua; don't expect Kenyan citizens to respect the same law. They will come for you and impeach you since they are tired of your regime as well,” said Mwangi.