Members of the National Assembly on Tuesday called on Speaker Moses Wetangula to direct the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to ensure that adequate security is provided for lawmakers who appended their signatures to the motion looking to remove Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua from office.
Speaking after Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse tabled the motion, Majority Leader and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah pointed out that the decision to front a motion against the second in command posed huge security threats to MPs and President William Ruto himself.
“Just to add on to what Honourable Farah Maalim and Junet Mohamed have said, Honourable Speaker, the security of MPs is paramount,” Ichung’wah stated.
According to the MP, should anything happen to any lawmaker then the Inspector General of Police would be held accountable.
Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah in a meeting on April 3, 2024
Photo
Kimani Ichung’wah
“Should anything happen to the president, I want to beg that you take with much weight the issues raised by Junet and Maalim. For members of this house, all the 349 of them, you must direct the Police IG to ensure that when this house is sitting and even outside, members are secure,” Ichung’wah said.
While reiterating the matter, Ichung’wah alleged an elaborate scheme by unknown individuals to cause harm to lawmakers who backed Gachagua’s impeachment motion.
The majority leader further cautioned MPs against discussing the contentious motion in public forums including during media interviews.
“Many of the MPs will be invited to the media houses to discuss this motion which has been tabled today just to caution members that it will be out of order to discuss this matter outside this house,” the Kikuyu MP stated.
Ichung’wah’s remarks followed speaker Moses Wetangula’s move to allow the motion on Friday, September 27 who admitted it on the basis that it meets the constitutional threshold with a majority of MPs having backed it.
“I find that the special motion meets the requirements relating to form and threshold set out in Articles 145 (1) and 150 (1)(b) of the Constitution and standing orders 64(1),” Wetang’ula said.
“I have also satisfied myself that the number of members who have appended their signatures in support of the special motion exceeds the minimum threshold of 117 members in this house.”
Mutuse wants DP Gachagua dismissed from office on 11 grounds including; gross violation of the Constitution, undermining the president, making inciteful remarks, launching unnecessary attacks on National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director Noordin Haji and a judge and alleged interference with the governance of Nairobi County.
Other grounds for impeachment include; going against the oath of office, violating the National Cohesion and Integration Act, amassing property illegally and misleading the public on critical matters.
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