National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula expressed his support for the motion to oust Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during a Sunday address to congregants at Wamunyu Catholic Church in Machakos County. Wetang’ula appeared to side with legislators accusing Gachagua of promoting tribalism.
“We must recognize that our diversity is the source of our strength, and that is how we should live,” Wetang’ula stated.
He was hosted by Machakos Woman Representative Joyce Kamene and joined a growing list of politicians weighing in on Kenya’s first impeachment motion of this kind. Accompanying him were legislators Patrick Makau, Charles Nguna, Rachel Kaki, and others.
The impeachment motion against Gachagua is expected to be tabled on Tuesday, with reports indicating that the number of signatures needed was close to being met by Friday evening. For the motion to be introduced in the House, it requires the backing of 117 legislators, and 233 MPs must support it for it to proceed to the Senate.
On Friday, House leaders in the National Assembly confirmed to Citizen TV that the process was well underway, with the signature collection drive nearing its target.
“I can confirm that signatures are being collected and had reached 260 by Thursday evening, now approaching 300,” said National Assembly Deputy Majority Leader Owen Baya.
“There is a stampede; members are rushing to sign the motion,” added Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro.
The motion is expected to be tabled early next week, with signatures being collected in secret by regional caucus whips during night meetings to solidify a common position.
The signatures, which have remained a secret among the proponents, are said to be collected by regional caucus whips who have been holding night meetings to establish a common position.
Leaders from Rift Valley are reported to have been the first to meet on Tuesday evening with an agenda to protect the presidency.
Other groups from the Mt. Kenya, Western, and Coast regions followed suit, with a hotel in Lavington, Nairobi, serving as the point of convergence for some groups.
