Impeachment: Gachagua left it too late to tell who his real friends are

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua addresses a past function. [File, Standard]

October 1 will forever be etched in the mind of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, as it could mark a pivotal moment in his political career.

As an impeachment motion was filed in the National Assembly on Tuesday, the Deputy President separately defended himself against any wrongdoing and stated that he would respect the MPs’ decision.

However, it was only after the names of the lawmakers who had signed the petition seeking his impeachment were revealed that the embattled second-in-command realised he was treading a political tightrope.

Since the motion was first proposed, the Deputy President has had both strong supporters and critics who have openly criticised his style of leadership.

A case in point is Nominated MP Sabina Chege, who questioned why some leaders would seek to remove Gachagua from office, even as she praised him for uniting the region despite facing backlash.

“We have no time for sideshows. I have been on record saying that I will not sign, cannot sign, and have no time for that because we need to sit in Parliament and discuss bills that will positively impact education, and help and support our communities, rather than focus on personalities,” she said two months ago.

However, on the day of reckoning, her name was among the 291 MPs who had signed the motion to impeach Gachagua.

Even after Wiper Party issued a statement opposing the motion—and their party leader Kalonzo Musyoka repeatedly vowed to support Gachagua—several MPs still signed it.

Wiper MPs who signed the petition include Daadab MP Farah Maalim, Doris Donya Aburi (Kisii County), John Bwire Okano (Taveta), Mwakuwona Danson Mwanshako (Wundayi), and Charles Ngusya (Mwingi West).

Other MPs chose to distance themselves from signing the motion or from the expected voting, offering various reasons for their decisions.

While 291 MPs supported the motion, 54 others, including Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, opted to stay away, despite a majority of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) MPs backing it.

Nyali MP Mohamed Ali, who had previously criticised the Deputy President, also stated that he does not support the motion.

“I have carefully read the charges in the impeachment motion against the Deputy President. In good faith, I do not support this course of action and find it ill-intentioned, seeking to demonise a public servant who has contributed immensely to this great country. Let it be known that I, Mohamed Ali Mohamed, did not sign the impeachment motion against Gachagua,” he said.

Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara was among a number of MPs who defied the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party line.

She pointed out that the country is currently facing more pressing issues, such as the thousands of students unable to join university due to the increased costs caused by the new university funding model, and the uncertainty surrounding the new health insurance scheme.

“The government should be focusing on streamlining such crucial programmes that affect the health of its citizens, not sponsoring an impeachment motion against the Deputy President. The President and all of us in leadership should be busy working on the many unfulfilled promises,” she said.

“The impeachment of the Deputy President on flimsy grounds shouldn’t be a priority for any sensible leader. For the record, I will not be part of this dirty and malicious scheme to impeach the Deputy President,” she added.

Kajiado North MP Ngogoyo Onesmus also stated that he had reviewed the impeachment motion and, without hesitation, would vote ‘No’.

Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba said: “Regarding the planned impeachment of the Deputy President, this is to categorically state that if Members of Parliament have to vote, I have listened keenly to my constituents, and I will NOT vote  in favour of the motion. I will vote no.”

Marakwet MP Timothy Kipchumba added: “My conscience is against the letter, spirit, and intent of the impeachment motion against the Deputy President.”