Kimilili Member MP Didmus Barasa has launched a scathing attack on Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of tribalistic politics and fueling his own impeachment woes.
Speaking at a funeral in Nasianda, Kibingei Ward on Saturday, September 21, 2024, Barasa revealed that a section of parliamentarians is planning to impeach the deputy president before the end of the year.
The legislator vowed that the deputy president will be celebrating his 2024 Christmas Holiday as an ordinary citizen in his village where he can carry on with his tribal agendas.
Barasa stated that Gachagua had brought these challenges upon himself due to his divisive political tactics, which, according to the lawmaker, have alienated many leaders and MPs.
He emphasized that the parliamentarians are determined to uphold Kenya’s democracy and fight tribalism within the government.
“Rigathi Gachagua impeached himself one year ago. Recently, he accused MPs of being bribed. In the Parliament of Kenya, we’ve gained courage from our Gen Z members. We’ve also decided to be free and defend Kenya’s democracy. We have chosen to oppose tribalism. Before the year ends, Gachagua will be celebrating Christmas as a regular citizen, continuing his tribal talk back in his village,” Barasa stated.
Fact: we will impeach @rigathi before end of 2024. Aende afanyie ukabila huko mathira kwa mrima. pic.twitter.com/PDp0i0Vkvs
— Hon Didmus Barasa, MP Kimilili (@DidmusWaBarasa) September 21, 2024
Barasa further accused the deputy president of targeting other leaders based on ethnic backgrounds. He pointed to a recent meeting Gachagua held in Karatina, where he criticized Moses Wetang’ula’s position as Speaker of the National Assembly, claiming that the people of Bungoma had not supported Wetang’ula’s role with enough votes.
“Gachagua ameenda uko kwao Karatina akafanya mkutano akaanza kusema ati Moses Wetang’ula hafai kuwa Speaker wa Bunge kwa sababu watu wa Bungoma hatukupiga kura inayolingana na iyo cheo,” Didmus Barasa added.
Adversaries
Meanwhile, Deputy President Gachagua, in an interview with a local TV station on Friday, September 21, 2024, dismissed the impeachment attempts, asserting that his straightforwardness and commitment to serving Kenyans are the real reasons behind the political pushback against him.
He claimed that his adversaries were targeting him because of his close connection with the people and his refusal to compromise on key issues.
“They say that I’m high-headed, that I’m too people-centred, and that I listen to people too much. That I’m tasking people to listen to what Kenyans are saying – I don’t think it is a crime,” Gachagua stated.
The deputy president further mentioned that certain individuals were paying off other leaders to spearhead his impeachment, adding that some of his political opponents have been coerced into opposing him.
He vowed to work for the people of Kenya noting that they are his employer.
“Leadership is about the people, for you to be a good leader, you must listen to the people. I keep on listening to the people and asking my fellow leaders to listen to the people. Today I’m wiser this evening than I was in the morning. You must listen to your employer because you must listen to your employer.”
