Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua extended his well wishes to the nation as it celebrated its 61st Mashujaa Day. In a statement on X, Gachagua, who did not attend the event in Kwale County despite earlier reports suggesting he would, expressed his hopes for the country’s future, saying, “Happy Mashujaa Day dear Kenyans. God Bless our Nation.”
His message comes just days after he was impeached by the National Assembly, a decision upheld by the Senate. Senators voted to affirm at least five charges against Gachagua, which included issues related to shareholding, undermining the independence of judges, violations of the National Cohesion and Integrity Act, and gross misconduct due to public attacks on the National Intelligence Service (NIS).
The impeachment motion was introduced by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse in the National Assembly last week, where 281 MPs voted in favor of the motion, while 44 voted against it. One MP abstained from voting.
Before the impeachment proceedings, Gachagua’s lawyers reported that he had fallen ill and was admitted to Karen Hospital with severe chest pains. His doctor later confirmed he was stable but required bed rest for 48 to 72 hours.
Gachagua is currently in court seeking to overturn the impeachment, arguing that he was not given a fair hearing since he was absent to defend himself. Following the impeachment, Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki was nominated by President William Ruto as his replacement and subsequently approved by the National Assembly.
President Ruto arrived in Kwale on Sunday morning, where he was welcomed by Kindiki at the County Commissioner’s residence, joined by other leaders including Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo and Governor Fatuma Achani.
