Embattled Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of implicitly supporting the impeachment motion against him. Speaking from his Karen residence on Monday, Gachagua said that the motion, which has gained traction in the National Assembly, could not have progressed without the President’s approval.
“To the issue that this motion cannot find its way to the National Assembly without the President’s nod, that is true, it can’t. It has the President’s nod,” Gachagua stated, pointing fingers at Ruto. He did not provide further details on the matter, saying he would address the issue in depth when he appears before Parliament to defend himself.
Despite the pressure surrounding the impeachment, Gachagua made it clear that he has no intention of resigning. “I was elected by 7.2 million Kenyans; how dare you suggest I resign without public participation? I have no intention of resigning from this job… I will fight until the end,” he asserted. “I will get justice and carry out my duties as DP. Anybody sending me messages to resign is a joker. I have done nothing wrong to Kenyans.”
The DP dismissed the motion introduced by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse as a “fabrication” and “baseless allegations” aimed at tarnishing his reputation. He described the 11 counts against him as “outrageous and baseless propaganda.”
Gachagua also referred to the impeachment as a “shameful act” that would go down in House history, as it seeks to remove a democratically elected leader based on what he claims are fabricated claims.
The motion gained support from 291 lawmakers in the National Assembly and proceeded to public participation in the 47 counties last Friday. Despite the mounting pressure, President Ruto has remained silent on the matter, steering clear of the ongoing controversy involving his deputy since the motion was tabled on October 1.
