Parliament Road remains blocked as police maintain a heavy presence around Parliament Buildings in anticipation of a highly charged impeachment motion against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Helicopters are circling overhead, while officers have cordoned off key areas in the capital to avert any potential chaos. The heightened security measures follow rising concerns over possible protests linked to the motion.
Nairobi has been on edge ever since activist Morara Kebaso was arrested on Monday, with fears of unrest further fuelled by the recent breach of Parliament. The June 25 incident left Members of Parliament scrambling for safety after protesters overran security. Now, with Parliament Road sealed off and law enforcement on high alert, the focus shifts to how the impeachment process unfolds.
In Gachagua’s hometown of Karatina, the atmosphere is equally tense. Police patrols have intensified amid fears of both pro-DP and anti-government demonstrations. It’s evident that security agencies are bracing for a range of outcomes as emotions continue to simmer.
MPs in Parliament during the Budget 2024 reading.
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Parliament
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula is expected to formally notify Parliament of the impeachment motion against the Deputy President today.
However, there won’t be an immediate debate, as today is strictly for issuing the notice. All eyes are on the MPs backing the motion and those leading the charge.
The impeachment bid comes after several failed attempts to block the motion through the courts. A trio of petitioners, including former UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala and Sheria Mtaani’s Shadrack Wambui, were unsuccessful in their legal bid to halt the proceedings. A fourth petition, filed by Mobuli Namenya and five others, is still pending.
Despite the legal setbacks, the motion has gained significant traction within the National Assembly, with 300 MPs reportedly signing the petition as of last week. This easily surpasses the required 117 signatures, setting the stage for the motion’s introduction on the floor.
Deputy Leader of Majority Owen Baya is spearheading the motion, with Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse slated to second it. Before the debate can begin, Speaker Wetang’ula will offer guidance on the motion’s handling, a process that is likely to determine its political fate.
Gachagua faces accusations of gross misconduct, including violating the Constitution and undermining national unity. His controversial remarks, suggesting that only those who voted for the current regime should benefit, have sparked outrage and accusations of disregarding Kenya’s core governance principles. Critics argue that his comments about prioritising populous regions over others fly in the face of the constitutional mandate for equitable distribution of resources.
The impeachment process, outlined under Article 145 of the Constitution, requires a two-thirds majority in Parliament for the motion to pass. The stakes are high as the political future of the Deputy President hangs in the balance, with both sides of the divide closely watching how MPs align on this critical vote.
The National Assembly’s Standing Orders dictate that such a motion must be dealt with within seven days of being introduced. Failure to act within that window would see the motion withdrawn for the remainder of the session, leaving the matter unresolved until further notice.
Meanwhile, Gachagua’s outspoken criticism of state officials, including a High Court judge and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), has only added fuel to the fire. His public attacks on figures of authority are seen by some as an affront to the dignity expected of his office, further straining his relationship with key institutions.
A collage of President William Ruto (right) and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (background).
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Courtesy
