Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is now facing a historic impeachment motion backed by an unprecedented 291 Members of Parliament. The motion, supported by both the Azimio la Umoja and Kenya Kwanza coalitions, claims that Gachagua has repeatedly violated the Constitution over the past two years.
Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, who tabled the motion, presented 11 charges, including gross violation of the Constitution, misconduct, bullying, corruption, and undermining the presidency, among others.
The 291 MPs in favor of the motion far exceeded the required 117 members necessary to initiate the process. However, 54 MPs chose not to back the impeachment. Notably, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino refrained from signing the motion, despite the majority of his opposition colleagues supporting it.
Nyali MP Mohammed Ali condemned the motion, describing it as a politically motivated witch-hunt. “I have read the charges and find them ill-intentioned. I did not sign the impeachment motion,” he said.
Marakwet West MP Timothy Kipchumba Toroitich also voiced concerns, calling for Speaker Moses Wetangula and the Deputy Speaker to step aside due to perceived bias. He questioned the timing of the impeachment, arguing that the ruling party should focus on implementing its manifesto. “I did not and will not support this motion,” he declared.
Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, a frequent government critic, also refused to support the motion, stating it was a distraction from important national issues. “I will vote No if it comes to that,” she emphasized.
Interestingly, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, who has had past disagreements with Gachagua, was notably absent from the list of signatories. Other Mt Kenya MPs, including Edward Muriu (Gatanga), Mary Maua (Maragua), and Peter Kihungi (Kangema), defended Gachagua, framing the motion as a move to weaken his influence ahead of the 2027 elections.
