We are ready to impeach Gachagua, Women Reps say

When Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua welcomed President William Ruto to make his remarks during the Akurino National Prayer Conference at Nakuru High School Grounds in Nakuru on June 9,2024. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

A section of Women Representatives has said they are ready for the impeachment motion against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

While gathering in Samburu County on Monday, the over 20 Women Reps said they are in full support of the Gachagua ouster on what they termed tribalism and disrespect to the presidency.

The women MPs had gathered in Maralal in Samburu during a Wezesha Mama Inua Jamii project meeting.

Narok Woman MP Rebecca Tonkei said President William Ruto and Gachagua are the symbol of national unity and if his impeachment is to be tabled in parliament for the country's sanity the women reps are ready for it.

“As leaders, we are ready to finish up that business because we are tired of being disturbed by one person yet Kenya belongs to all of us,” she said.

Her sentiments were echoed by her Baringo counterpart Florence Jematiah who said, “We are in AN unprecedented time as Kenyans. We are busy building the country but the deputy president is doing the negative part in politics and that is why we have to support the impeachment motion in parliament.”

Jematiah said although it is not their wish to support the motion, Gachagua is the very reason they want to support the motion.

“He has been dividing the country by only supporting one region.  Where does he want the other Kenyans to go?  As leaders we cannot accept anyone to divide us with the people of Mount Kenya,” she said.

A section of the women representatives who had gathered in Samburu County for the launch Wezesha Mama, Inua Jamii projects. [Michael Saitoti, Standard]

Nyandarua’s Faith Wairimu Gitau said the women had resolved that they could not be divided on tribal lines.

“When you see us in Samburu we do not know tribalism and we cannot let it divide Kenyans. we as women strongly support President Ruto and Kenya is one and the tribe in Mount Kenya are widespread all over the country and we love each other,” she said.

Samburu’s Pauline Lenguris said the Samburu community are behind the leadership of President Ruto and they cannot let one person divide the country on a tribalism card.

Others present were Marsabit’s Naomi Jillo, Muranga’s Betty Maina, Nandi’s Cynthia Muge, Kajiado’s Leah Sankaire, Laikipia’s Jane Kagiri and Nakuru’s LizaChelule.

Kiambu County Woman Rep Ann Wamuratha, her Kericho counterpart Beatrice Kemei, Vihiga’s Beatrice Adagala, Mandera’s Umulkheir Kassim and Tranzoia’s Siyoi Lilian Chebet were also present.

Their sentiments come even as the countdown for Gachagua’s political fate lies in the offing, with the much-anticipated filing of the highly publicised impeachment motion in Parliament.

A section of the women representatives who had gathered in Samburu County for the launch Wezesha Mama, Inua Jamii projects. [Michael Saitoti, Standard]

This is even as the High Court on Monday declined twice to issue interim orders to stop Parliament from processing a motion to impeach Gachagua.

Expectations are that the notice of special motion for Gachagua’s removal could be filed by an MP from Eastern, who has explained in detail 10 grounds to support this move.

The document has raised questions on DP committing economic crimes, which is against sections of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act and Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act, respectively.

The mover’s case against Gachagua indicates that for the past two years, the DP has inexplicably amassed a huge property portfolio estimated at Sh5.2 billion, reportedly from suspected proceeds of corruption and money laundering.

The motion indicates that Gachagua has acquired the huge wealth and property using his spouse Dorcas, two sons Kevin and Keith, and other close family members and associates as proxies.

The DP is accused of using his proxies, especially his two sons, to allegedly, massively launder money, conceal proceeds of crime, corruption and benefit from influence peddling.