Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse has come up with plausible explanations for the litany of questions that caused him to fumble during Wednesday’s impeachment hearing against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
As the Senate session resumed on Thursday, October 17, 2024, Mutuse displayed a newfound confidence while fielding inquiries from senators.
The day began with pointed questions directed at the Kibwezi West MP – the mover of the impeachment motion at the National Assembly.
Senator Aaron Cheruiyot queried about the legality of individuals owning multiple companies, specifically asking, “Is there any crime that a Kenyan will have committed if they own 20, 30, 40 companies? On the issue of Vipingo Ridge, what is the crime of the sons of the Deputy President being listed as directors?”
Senator Beth Syengo also touched on the Vipingo Ridge, “In your presentation, you touched on the inheritance of the late Nderitu Gachagua. Have you reached out to the widow or children to give you facts?”
Unlike the previous day, when he struggled under cross-examination from Gachagua’s lawyers, Mutuse delivered a remarkable comeback.
Addressing the contentious issue of Vipingo Ridge, which had tripped him up the day before, he elaborated on why he found it suspicious that the Deputy President’s late brother had left his estates to his nephews instead of his own children.
“In terms of Vipingo Ridge, the question I want to invite the honourable senators, and I request that you listen to me. I was told yesterday that the two sons of His Excellency the Deputy President are mere directors and that the shares are owned by the estate of the late Nderitu Gachagua.
“But then you ask yourselves, all of you here have children, why would my brother’s children own my estate and not my children? Why would my brother’s children be the ones who are directors in my estate and not my own children? If you die today, will your children be the ones to be directors of your properties or will it be your brother’s children? Don’t you see this is suspicious? It is obviously suspicious,” Mutuse explained.
His improved composure did not go unnoticed, prompting reactions from observers. Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) CEO Ezekiel Mutua quipped on X, “Mutuse consulted the Oracles last night!”
Wednesday drama
The previous day had seen a dramatic showdown in the Senate, with Gachagua’s legal team taking to the floor to cross-examine Mutuse.
Advocate Elisha Ongoya challenged him to substantiate the claims laid out in the 11 grounds for Gachagua’s impeachment.
Under pressure, Mutuse had stumbled, struggling to support his assertion that Gachagua owned the Vipingo Beach Resort, a central asset in the impeachment case.
“It may be getting hotter, but look at the document, compose yourself, and read. What is the total number of shares in Vipingo Beach Company?” Ongoya had pressed.
“10,000,” Mutuse replied, faltering in the moment.
“Who is indicated as the owner of all those 10,000 shares?” Ongoya probed further.
“The late James Nderitu Gachagua,” Mutuse responded.
“When the DP says this company is wholly owned by his late brother, is he speaking the truth or not?” Ongoya pushed.
“Yes,” Mutuse opined.
As the second day of hearings unfolds, all eyes remain on the Senate, watching to see whether Mutuse can maintain his newfound poise and successfully navigate the complexities of this unprecedented impeachment process.
