The impending impeachment motion against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has intensified divisions within Azimio La Umoja, just weeks after coalition leader Raila Odinga announced his political retirement. The ouster motion has revealed a fractured coalition with members expressing conflicting views, raising questions about its viability until the next election in 2027.
Almost all Azimio MPs have signed the petition to impeach the Deputy President, yet the coalition’s leadership outside Parliament is cautioning against this move and is committed to rallying support for Gachagua. Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa have declared their intent to mobilize opposition members to defend Gachagua against what they characterize as a political witch-hunt.
During a funeral service for 21 pupils who died in a school fire in Nyeri, Kalonzo stated, “Let me be clear: If they bring a motion to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in Parliament, they should also bring one against William Ruto.” Eugene added that he would stand by Gachagua during this challenging time, emphasizing that attempts to sow division in the Mt. Kenya region would not succeed.
Eugene remarked, “We want to remind those trying to ignite a fire in the Mountain that they should know this Mountain has friends.” He highlighted the historical ties between the leaders and the region, asserting their solidarity: “If the day comes and this Mountain calls upon us, we will stand with you; you will not walk alone.”
The independence party KANU, another Azimio affiliate, also supports the idea of impeaching both Ruto and Gachagua. However, Azimio Minority Leader Junet Mohammed has been actively organizing the petition for Gachagua’s ouster in the National Assembly. In response, ODM has advised Kalonzo to refrain from interfering in parliamentary matters, asserting that the impeachment effort is not merely a party issue. Deputy leader Geoffrey Osotsi told the *Star* that this matter should be left to the parliamentarians.
“For us as ODM, we are very clear the impeachment is not a party issue. It is a parliamentary issue, so the MPs will make a decision on how they are going to vote. It is left to MPs and their leadership,” said Deputy Leader Geoffrey Osotsi in a phone interview. He added, “That is why we are not going to have a Parliamentary Group meeting to make a collective decision on it.”
Vihiga Senator Osotsi dismissed the statements made by Kalonzo and Wamalwa, calling it “premature” for anyone to take a definitive stance before the motion is officially tabled. He noted, “Once the motion is tabled, members will be free to make their sound decision on which way to vote,” highlighting that procedural debates are anticipated.
Governance expert Javas Bigambo weighed in, asserting that Kalonzo’s faction within Azimio lacks the numerical strength to save the Deputy President. “Kalonzo needs to have a stand on issues; even on the Rigathi impeachment, what are the substantive issues that will inform his position?” Bigambo questioned. He further remarked, “We have not even seen him summoning Wiper or Azimio leaders in anticipation of the motion. And if he calls the Azimio meeting, will they honour it?”
Within Azimio, ODM is the largest party, boasting 86 MPs, followed by Jubilee with 28 and Wiper with 26 lawmakers. Wamalwa’s DAP-K and KANU each have five elected MPs. This means Kalonzo’s faction can only muster 36 MPs, which may not be sufficient to turn the tide in favor of Gachagua.
In contrast, President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza coalition commands 231 MPs in the National Assembly, with 179 elected through the coalition and others having defected from the opposition. The ruling United Democratic Alliance party holds 139 MPs, while Ford Kenya and the Amani National Congress, linked to Musalia Mudavadi, each have six.
To successfully advance the motion, at least 233 MPs must support it in the National Assembly. The *Star* has learned that last-minute efforts by Gachagua to repair his relationship with President Ruto have hit a dead end.
