A research by Trends and Insights For Africa (TIFA) has revealed that most Kenyans want Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua impeached.
According to the data gathered using a sample size of 1,892 Kenyans and released on Monday, October 7, 2024, 41% of Kenyans support Gachagua’s ouster whereas 38% oppose it.
TIFA shows that most of those opposing hail from the Mt Kenya region. 69% of Kenyans from the region oppose the motion, 20% support it whereas 11% of the Kenyans are unsure.
Other regions recorded that 47% of Kenyans supported the DP’s ouster, while 28% were against it and 24% of citizens were unsure.
The majority of the respondents who support the DP’s impeachment cite ethnic discrimination and hate speech in favour of his community as the reason they want him ousted.
Other respondents stated that poor performance, bad leadership and false promises are the reasons the DP should be removed from office.
The other 13% supporting Gachagua’s exit have cited corruption and abuse of office whereas the other 12% have stated that the DP’s disagreements with the president is enough reason for him to be impeached.
In the same breath, 2% of those agreeing with the impeachment motion have cited disagreements with other UDA leaders whereas the other 1% of respondents stated that the DP should be ousted for supporting Gen Z protests.
Most of those opposing the movement on the other hand have stated that the DP is being attacked unfairly, while others have indicated that the second-in-command has showcased good performance and honesty.
Others have expressed that the DP should work with his boss to finish their term while some 7% of those disagreeing with the impeachment say Gachagua should be impeached alongside the president.
The other 6% of respondents believe that the DP should be given a second chance, and 4% say there is no clear reason given for the DP’s impeachment.
4% believe that Gachagua’s impeachment will affect national stability, another 4% say the DP has Mt Kenya community support while the other 3% believe that the motion is aimed at distracting attention from national matters.
1% of those opposing say it will not make a difference in the country whereas the rest of the 2% said they were not sure,
The poll conducted between October 1 and 4, also revealed that 58% of Kenyans in the Mt Kenya region expect that Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki will replace the DP, while 30% believe the next DP would come from other regions.
5% of the respondents believe that Forein Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi will succeed Gachagua, whereas the other 5 per cent expect that Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro will be the next DP.
Other respondents mentioned Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru and her Homa Bay counterpart Gladys Wanga as Gachagua’s successor.
