Embakasi North Member of Parliament (MP) James Gakuya has weighed in on the ongoing debate of the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua as Kenya’s Deputy President.
Speaking during a live interview with K24TV, Gakuya, who is Gachagua’s ally, disclosed that he tried to persuade him to resign because of the consequences of the impeachment on his political career.
Additionally, the vocal MP stated that Gachagua chose to fight the battle till the end after consulting various groups.
“I persuaded the deputy president to resign, having to know the consequences of the outcome of such an impeachment, but at the end of the day, the holder of that position of the deputy president was not holding it in his own capacity but was holding it in trust of Kenyans.
“He told me that he needed to consult various groups first and that he would be convinced probably after that consultation. He consulted widely, and most likely he was persuaded to fight this battle to the end, and that is what he did,” Gakuya said.
Gakuya further stated that the impeachment has ruined Gachagua’s political career, adding that administratively he can make his redress.
“I would say I am not finding it so tough that there is no other room; I would say that politically the room is closed, but administratively he can make his redress; it is not so critical to say that he is cast on a stone and such a decision cannot be quashed,” he added.
Gachagua’s impeachment
On Thursday, October 17, 2024, the Senate impeached Gachagua after he was found guilty of five out of 11 counts against him.
The vote took place while Gachagua was in the hospital suffering from severe chest pains.
Gachagua, who was facing 11 charges, including gross misconduct and abuse of office, has officially been sent packing after the House voted on grounds 1, 4, 5, 6, and 9 against him.
The embattled Gachagua was found guilty on the first charge of gross violation of Articles 10, 27, 73, 75, and 129, which involved his alleged failure to uphold the national values and principles of governance. A total of 53 senators voted in favour of this ground, with 13 opposing the charge.
The second charge, accusing Gachagua of undermining the president and the cabinet in the execution of the national government’s mandate, failed to pass, with 28 senators voting in favour and 39 against. Similarly, the third charge, relating to undermining devolution, was rejected, with 19 votes in support and 45 in opposition.
The fourth charge, concerning Gachagua’s reported violation of judicial independence, was supported by 51 senators, with 16 voting against.
The impeachment motion was introduced in the National Assembly last week by Kibwezi West MP, Mwengi Mutuse. In a decisive vote, 281 MPs supported the motion, with only 44 opposing it.
Gachagua was also found guilty of violating his oath of office, with 49 senators supporting this charge, while 16 opposed it, and 2 abstained. The sixth charge, which cited serious concerns about Gachagua committing crimes under the National Cohesion and Integration Act, passed with 48 senators in favour.
Was it too late for Gachagua to resign
— K24 TV (@K24Tv) October 18, 2024
Hon. James Gakuya: I persuaded the Deputy President to go that particular route. He told me that he should first consult various groups.#NewDawn pic.twitter.com/Do6kbz6RyN
