Githunguri Member of Parliament (MP) Gathoni Wamuchomba has expressed concerns that the impending impeachment move against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is being used as a distraction to divert Kenyans’ attention from pressing government issues.
In her remarks, MP Wamuchomba suggested that the government is treating Gachagua as a “sacrificial lamb” to shift focus away from contentious matters, such as the controversial Adani takeover of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). She criticized the government for avoiding accountability and instead targeting Gachagua with unfounded accusations.
“We are being kept busy with Gachagua’s impeachment so that the Adani deal sails through, the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) transition, with all the irregularities to pass. We are being diverted from key issues in this country,” she stated during an interview with Citizen TV on Monday. “They are looking for someone to blame. Look at the grounds they are bringing. They are all flimsy excuses without any solid reasoning. Somebody is very worried that the GenZs have gone calm and they will erupt again because the issues that took them to the streets have not been addressed.”
Among the allegations against Gachagua is a claim that he has violated Article 10 of the Constitution, with his critics asserting that his public statements have been inciteful and inflammatory, potentially stirring ethnic hatred. Wamuchomba contended that accusing the Deputy President of favoring his Mt Kenya region is misguided, pointing out that former President Uhuru Kenyatta also defended the region vigorously during his tenure without being labeled a tribalist.
“Gachagua is not the first to defend Mt. Kenya region. Uhuru Kenyatta defended the region fiercely for 10 years. Why didn’t you say that he is a tribalist?” she questioned.
Wamuchomba further alleged that many leaders have been neglecting crucial issues facing their constituents, choosing instead to meet in hotels to strategize on how to remove the Deputy President. “Does it mean that MPs have nothing else to do other than parade themselves in hotels every night to scheme how to remove one person? Every community in Parliament has been going to hotels in cocoons of 10, 20 people,” she claimed.
The motion for impeachment, as confirmed by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, is set to be tabled on Tuesday.
Tabling the motion for Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment will require the support of 233 MPs for it to proceed. Reports indicate that by the close of business on Sunday, 302 members of Parliament had already appended their signatures to the motion.
In addition to the previous allegations, Gachagua faces accusations of violating Articles 147, 148, 174, 186, and 189 of the Constitution, which pertain to his conduct and responsibilities as the principal assistant to the President. He is also accused of corruptly and unlawfully acquiring assets using taxpayers’ money, with these assets reportedly located in Nyeri, Nairobi, and Kilifi counties.
Should the motion pass, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula will be required to communicate the resolution to Senate Speaker Amason Kingi within two days for further action.
