Good morning and welcome to our live blog covering the heated public participation on the motion to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
This nationwide exercise has officially begun across all 290 constituencies, giving Kenyans the platform to voice their opinions on the high-stakes impeachment, initiated by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse. The process is being conducted at designated centers within each constituency.
A last-minute legal challenge aimed at halting the proceedings was dismissed on Wednesday, clearing the path for today’s critical consultations. Stay with us for live updates as the drama unfolds across the country.
13:00pm – CS Mutua Leads Public Participation Against Gachagua, Saying “Gachagua Must Go”
Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has taken a bold stance in Machakos, leading the public participation against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua with the rallying cry, “Gachagua must go!”
Mutua’s participation signals growing divisions within the Cabinet, as he becomes one of the top officials openly supporting the impeachment motion.
Addressing a charged crowd, Mutua emphasised that Gachagua’s removal is key to unlocking development for the region.
“We are not happy. Since President William Ruto took office, Ukambani has been left behind. All development has been tied to shareholder politics,” Mutua declared, in a sharp critique of the current leadership.
He urged the residents to back the motion, adding, “For Ukambani to see real progress, Gachagua must go.”
12:30pm – Divided Opinions Stir Drama at Public Participation in Kakamega
Tensions are flaring in Kakamega as residents gather at Magharibi Hall to express their views on the proposed impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
While some have raised their hands to participate, others are loudly opposing the process, leading to a heated atmosphere.
Videos circulating online capture a section of the crowd chanting anti-Ruto slogans, singing “Yote Yawezekana Bila Ruto” in protest. The scene is growing more chaotic as emotions run high.
12:45pm – Pro-Gachagua Supporter Roughed Up, Participation Temporarily Suspended
In Kisumu, public participation at Tom Mboya Labour College nearly erupted into chaos when a man openly declared his support for Deputy President Gachagua. Clashes broke out between pro- and anti-Gachagua groups, momentarily halting the exercise.
Two Gachagua supporters were forcibly removed from the venue after an altercation ensued while they were being interviewed for a local TV station. Protestors in favour of the impeachment stormed the scene, demanding their removal. Security stepped in to escort the pair out, temporarily bringing the exercise to a standstill. The process has since resumed, but tensions remain high.
12:20 pm – Public Participation at Bomas Ends Amid Controversy
Public participation at Bomas in Nairobi has officially concluded, with hundreds turning up to voice their opinions on Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment. However, serious concerns are emerging over the alleged suppression of dissenting voices, including activist Morara Kebaso, whose removal from the venue has sparked outrage.
Doubts have also arisen about the integrity of the exercise, with critics questioning whether Parliament upheld the standard for genuine, meaningful public participation. This follows Wednesday’s High Court directive that required the participation to take place at the constituency level, rather than the initially planned county-level consultations.
The National Assembly abruptly closed the public participation at 12:06 pm, leaving many wondering whether the process had truly served its purpose.
11:00am – Clashes Break Out in Bomas as Participation Turns Violent
In Nairobi, tensions flared as public participation at Bomas spiralled into disorder. Supporters and detractors of Deputy President Gachagua clashed violently, chanting rival slogans of “Ruto must go” and “Gachagua must go.”
Punches were thrown, chairs were hurled, and confusion reigned as the two sides descended into a brawl. Kebaso Morara, the lawyer turned activist was at the center of the chaos with goons attacking the political figurehead who is quickly gaining popularity.
The chaos erupted after activist lawyer Morara Kebaso arrived with a group of youths, prompting a section of attendees to react violently. Security personnel had to swiftly intervene, ejecting Morara and restoring a fragile order. The exercise continued, though the atmosphere remained volatile.
Morara has however sustained injuries and is headed to hospital.
10:00am – Nakuru – Protests Break Out Over Gachagua Impeachment
In Nakuru, chaos has erupted during the public participation exercise on Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment. Residents have taken to the streets, rejecting the process, calling it fraudulent.
Chanting “No Gachagua, no Ruto,” the protestors disrupted the ASK showgrounds participation event, accusing organisers of distributing fake documents.
The exercise, meant to collect views on Gachagua’s ouster, was abruptly halted as police officers on-site fled the scene.
9:00am – Nyahururu – Nyeri Highway Blocked in Gachagua Support
Nyahururu residents have blocked a major highway in protest of the impeachment process, lighting bonfires and barricading roads leading to Nyeri town. “No Rigathi, no Ruto,” echoed through the streets as protestors expressed their unwavering support for Gachagua.
The residents accused the National Assembly of attempting to destabilise the region’s political leadership. Although police officers intervened to clear the roads, the defiant residents vowed to continue their demonstrations, demanding the public participation exercise be halted.
