Several Members of Parliament from Nyeri who initially supported Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment motion have changed their mind and withdrawn support for the ouster attempt.
Speaking during a press conference on Thursday, Tetu MP Geoffrey Wandeto, Kieni MP Njoroge Wainaina, Nyeri Woman Representative Rehab Mukami & Embu woman Representative Pamela Njoki said they had a change of heart after listening to their constituents and would be casting to save the DP when the matter comes up to a vote.
The MPs claimed that their initial decision to support the ouster attempt was not based on facts which led them to make a rushed decision. They affirmed that they had not read the charges and understood them well enough.
As such, the MPs claimed that after immersing themselves in a period of soul-searching and listening to the ground, they had made the firm decision to shoot down the motion despite supporting it during its initial reading.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua acknowledged greetings from the people at Engineer Town in Kinangop, Nyandarua County on Sunday, July 28, 2024.
Rigathi Gachagua
“Reading through the motion I realized this is something our deputy president and the President can sit down and resolve because Kenya is bigger than us. I have listened to the ground and the people of Nyeri have said they do not want the deputy president removed,” said Rahab Mukami.
Wandeto revealed that residents of Nyeri are against the impeachment. As a representative of the people, he claimed that he had chosen to listen to the bloc that elected him.
“As representatives of the people, it is upon us to listen to our people and do what they have asked us. So on Tuesday, I will be voting no,” said MP Geoffrey Wandeto.
The leaders who appended their signatures to the motion when Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse presented it in Parliament on Tuesday, now say that the best course of action is for Gachagua and Ruto to sit down, resolve their issues, and focus on development.
The U-turn by the MPs comes at a time when public participation on the impeachment motion starts on Friday, October 4.
Before the Nyeri MPs withdrew their support, the impeachment motion was being backed by a total of 291 MPs, which exceeded the one-third threshold required to initiate the process of removing the deputy president from office.
The Deputy President is facing 11 charges among them; gross misconduct, misuse of office, insubordination, violation of the constitution with regards to endangering national unity and unlawful acquisition of wealth.
The move signals a widening rift between Gachagua and President William Ruto, with their once-close alliance now in tatters.
President William Ruto and DP Rigathi Gachagua on the campaign trail heading to the 2022 general election.
DPPS
