National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula strongly criticised Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s two-hour television interview on Tuesday, calling it “abhorrent” and inappropriate as it addressed a motion currently before Parliament.
Ahead of the highly anticipated impeachment debate, which could end Gachagua’s political career, Wetangula said, “I will not act as a judge in this matter, but I must put on record that the Deputy President’s conduct was, to say the least, abhorrent, especially considering the ongoing parliamentary proceedings.”
The Speaker pointed out that Standing Order 85 of the National Assembly prohibits Members of Parliament from preempting debates on motions that have been formally introduced. While Gachagua is not an MP, Wetangula argued that the standing orders still apply to him due to his direct involvement in the motion.
“Standing Order 85 explicitly prohibits members of this House from preempting debate on a motion for which notice has been issued,” Wetangula explained. “When interpreted broadly, the order also applies to non-members, particularly those directly affected by such motions.”
He further emphasised that Gachagua, as the subject of the impeachment motion, should have exercised more caution and avoided giving the televised interview. “Given that the special motion is scheduled for debate and a vote today, I believe the Deputy President should have shown restraint and avoided the media interview,” Wetangula said.
“It is not a question of whether the Deputy President has been afforded an opportunity to defend himself before this House—he has. It is about upholding decorum and respecting the parliamentary process,” he added.
In his televised briefing on Monday, Gachagua had responded to the allegations that form the basis of the impeachment motion. He dismissed the claims as baseless and sensational, alleging they were part of a political scheme to damage his reputation and remove him from office.
According to Gachagua, the Tuesday impeachment will be the most shameful act in House history, as legislators will attempt to remove a democratically elected leader based on fabrications.
The motion proceeded to public participation across the 47 counties after gaining support from 291 lawmakers in the National Assembly.
Gachagua is set to stand trial on Tuesday, where he has unveiled a legal team led by seasoned lawyer Paul Mwite to argue his case before MPs.
