National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed has praised the House’s decision to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, calling it a historic moment for the country. He said the development will be seen as a key turning point for national cohesion and the upholding of Article 10 of the Constitution, which addresses the national values and principles of governance.
Article 10 outlines the core values that bind all state organs, state officers, public officers, and citizens when applying or interpreting the constitution, enacting laws, or making public policy decisions. These values include patriotism, devolution of power, human dignity, equity, social justice, non-discrimination, protection of the marginalized, good governance, integrity, and sustainable development.
Junet emphasized the significance of the National Assembly’s decision, expressing confidence that future generations will view it as a moment of national unity. He reflected on the importance of securing the values enshrined in Article 10, stating, “I am confident that future generations will look back at this moment and judge it as a turning point for cohesion in this country. Article 10 of our constitution has been secured, perhaps, forever.”
The vote, which took place on Tuesday, saw 281 MPs support the motion for Gachagua’s ouster, surpassing the two-thirds majority required, while 44 MPs voted to retain him. One MP abstained. The motion, introduced by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, cited 11 charges against Gachagua, including gross violation of the constitution, undermining the President, undermining devolution, irregular acquisition of wealth, attacking a judge, intimidating the acting CEO of Kemsa, promoting ethnic divisions, and insubordination to the President. Gachagua has denied all the accusations.
The fate of the Deputy President now lies with the Senate, which will convene within a week of receiving the impeachment resolution. The Senate will then have 10 days to address the motion, including allowing Gachagua to cross-examine the evidence. It will take the support of at least two-thirds of senators to uphold the impeachment. Should it pass, Gachagua would become the first deputy president in Kenya’s history to be impeached. However, Gachagua can appeal the decision in court.
On Monday, Gachagua told the media, “I will fight to the end.”
