Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse tables motion to impeach Gachagua

Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse at Bunge Towers, Nairobi. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Kibwezi West Member of Parliament Mwengi Mutuse has introduced a motion seeking the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

In his motion, Mwengi outlines 11 grounds for impeachment, including gross Constitutional violations, abuse of office, misconduct, and insubordination.

The MP reported that 291 Members of Parliament have signed in support of the motion, including Kimani Ichung’wah (Kikuyu), Eric Wamumbi (Mathira), and Junet Mohamed (Suna East).

The motion accuses Gachagua of unlawfully excluding certain segments of Kenya's population and regions from public service appointments and equitable allocation of resources.

"At a public forum in Kajiado County in 2023, Gachagua made inflammatory remarks, claiming the 'Government of Kenya is a company,'" the motion states.

Mwengi further argues that the Deputy President has undermined the presidency and the Cabinet by making unilateral public statements inconsistent with the government's collective policy positions.

Additionally, Gachagua is accused of amassing Sh5.2 billion since taking office in 2022, which the MP claims is incompatible with his known legitimate income.

"The Deputy President has acquired property through his spouse, two sons, and other close family members."

For instance, it highlights that in November 2023, the DP's sons, Kevin Gachagua and Keith Ikinu, acting as proxies for Gachagua, acquired Treetops Hotel in Nyeri County.

Last month, Gachagua publicly acknowledged that his family had acquired the property.

The motion also notes that Gachagua and his proxies acquired Olive Gardens Hotel and Queens Gate Service Apartments in Nairobi.

Moreover, Gachagua's criticisms of the National Intelligence Service and its Director General are cited as further evidence of gross misconduct warranting impeachment.

If the motion is approved, the Senate will have seven days to appoint a committee to investigate and report within 10 days.

Should the committee find no grounds for impeachment, the process will conclude. However, if it supports the charges, the Senate will vote on the impeachment after allowing the Deputy President to respond.