Gachagua Impeachment: Wetangula Outlines 2 Ways Kenyans Can Participate & Sets Deadline
The Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula on Tuesday called on Kenyans to share their inputs on the special motion that seeks to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
In his announcement, Wetangula stated that the motion, which is of national importance, would be distributed across all the 47 counties for public consideration.
The speaker further noted that the move was in line with Article 182 of the Constitution which mandates Parliamentary facilitation of citizen engagement in such processes.
“In consideration of the special motion and the modalities of such an exercise, it would be absurd for any person to imagine that such a motion would be concluded without the participation,” Wetangula stated.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula during Parliamentary proceedings
“Article 182 of the Constitution categorically enjoins Parliament to facilitate public participation and involvement in the legislative and other businesses in Parliament and its committees,” the speaker added.
Kenyans seeking to express their opinion on the deputy president’s impeachment motion were, therefore, asked to submit their views online by sending them to impeachment@parliament.go.ke
Alternatively, Kenyans were also directed to express their views by simply visiting their respective collection centres listed in the public participation notice.
According to Wetangula, online participants would have until October 5 at 5 pm to submit their views while those undertaking physical participation have until October 4 at 5 pm to do the same.
Wetangula’s directive for public participation in DP Gachagua’s impeachment followed the tabling of a special motion by Kibwezi West Member of Parliament Mutuse Mwengi.
In his motion, Mutuse demanded the DP’s impeachment on 11 grounds including; gross violation of the Constitution, undermining the president, making inciteful remarks, and alleged interference with the governance of Nairobi County.
Other grounds for impeachment included; going against the oath of office, violating the National Cohesion and Integration Act, amassing property illegally, and misleading the public on critical matters.
Meanwhile, in his announcement, Speaker Wetangula indicated that Gachagua would be granted a chance to defend himself on October 8 between 5 pm and 7 pm either in person or through a representative or both.
Members of Parliament would then proceed to take a vote. The motion requires two-thirds of the 349 members of parliament for it to pass.
Kibwezi West Member of Parliament Mwengi Mutuse.
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Mwengi Mutuse
