Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetangula, has changed his tune after his sentiments on Sunday about DP Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment landed him in hot soup on Tuesday.
While discussing the motion to impeach the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua tabled on Tuesday, Marakwet West Member of Parliament Toroitich Timothy Kipchumba expressed his vote of no confidence in Wetangula presiding over Gachagua’s impeachment.
According to the MP, Wetangula should recuse himself from presiding over the motion since he had already chosen a side.
“We need to give the DP a fair hearing. It is on record that you have been known to have taken sides on this matter, would it be in order for you and the deputy speaker to recuse yourselves from this matter?” The MP posed.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula during State of the Nation Address in 2023.
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PSC
During a church service on Sunday in Machakos County, the speaker of the National Assembly made sentiments suggesting that he was in support of Gachagua’s impeachment.
Defending himself from the recusal request by MP Kipchumba, however, Wetangula changed his tune and revealed that he remains neutral on the matter.
The speaker noted that he only resonated with the summon at the church service he attended on Sunday noting that it was based on the book of Mark 9:38, which reprimands evil-doers in the society.
“The priest based his homily on the book of Mark9:38, the book says if the wicked people in society tie a huge stone around their neck and toss them into the sea, it is not me who said it, it’s in the book. The book also says if your right hand causes you to stumble, chop it off, if your right leg causes you to stumble, chop it off, if your right eye causes you to stumble remove it. And all I said is that the homily was great and our society should live that way,” stated Wetangula.
“I have no vote in this matter, I have no dog in this fight. I can assure you the proceedings will proceed by fairness, the law, the Constitution, and the rules of natural justice.”
The National Assembly approved the motion to impeach the Deputy President that was tabled by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse who accused the DP of over 10 accounts.
Among the violations leveled against the DP include breaches of the Constitution, corruption, and incitement.
Mutuse presented the names of 291 MPs supporting the motion, a number that surpassed the required 117 signatures to meet the constitutional threshold.
Following the impeachment motion, Wetangula gave the Deputy President a chance to defend himself before the House on October 8. He also opened public participation in all 47 counties where Kenyans will have a say on the matter.
DP Rigathi Gachagua Speaking at the 25th Annual Interministries Union Conference at Inkinyie Primary School Grounds in Kajiado County, August 24.
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DPPS
