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Mwengi Mutuse: The little-known MP who sent Gachagua home

Mustafa Juma
Kibwesi West MP Mwengi Mutuse during a past parliamentary event. PHOTO/@HonMwengiMutuse/X
Kibwesi West MP Mwengi Mutuse during a past parliamentary event. PHOTO/@HonMwengiMutuse/X

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In October 2024, Kibwezi West Member of Parliament Eckomas Mwengi Mutuse became a trending icon. Before then, the first-time lawmaker who was elected on Alfred Mutua’s Maendeleo Chap Chap party ticket was barely known beyond his constituency.

October 1, 2024, is the day Mutuse blew into the public limelight. While it was already decided and known among the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) quarters and a section of Kenyans that an impeachment motion against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was inevitable, a question of who was to table the motion was still lingering.

Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse during a past parliamentary event. PHOTO/@HonMwengiMutuse/X

On the afternoon of October 1, Kenyans remained glued to their television screens as they anxiously followed the parliamentary proceedings to see the lawmaker who could courageously table Gachagua’s impeachment motion.

Gachagua’s impeachment motion

To the surprise of many, Mutuse, whom Kenyans least expected, tabled the motion that carried 11 impeachment grounds against Gachagua.

Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse during the tabling of Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment motion. PHOTO/@HonMwengiMutuse/X

The National Assembly overwhelmingly passed the motion and when it was taken to the upper house for prosecution, Mutuse told the Senate that he was not an investigator and that his aim was to subject the country’s second in command to take political responsibility for his action.

The lawmaker, a lawyer by profession, cited Articles 150 and 145 of the Kenyan Constitution, which outline the grounds for the removal of a Deputy President from office.

Mutuse turns into meme

Kenyans online quickly turned him into memes when he repeatedly fumbled while trying to defend some of the claims levelled against Gachagua, when the former DP’s defense team started examining him, with the most spectacular one being his engagement with lawyer Elisha Ongoya.

Do you remember when Ongoya questioned about the ownership of Vipingo Beach company which Mutuse had listed as part of the companies owned by Gachagua?

“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 questioned, leaving Kenyans with a meme they started using in their conversations during that period.

“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.

However, Mutuse laughed last when the Senate voted to impeach Gachagua, with President William Ruto nominating his successor Kithure Kindiki to take over.

Gachagua managed to obtain conservatory orders that blocked Kindiki’s swearing-in, but they were finally set aside by the court.

Mutuse expresses pride

Soon after Kindiki was sworn in, Mutuse expressed pride and satisfaction, congratulating Gachagua’s successor for assuming office.

“Congratulations, Prof Kithure Kindiki on assuming the office of Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya. The events leading up to today’s swearing-in and the prevailing peace in our country confirm that no one is above the law and reflect the maturity of our democracy.

“I am proud to have initiated and championed the motion that led to this historic milestone in our governance—a journey that required great courage and patriotism,” he said.

Well, let us delve into Mutuse’s profile, with an emphasis on his career and educational background.

Mwengi Mutuse’s career

While the rest of Kenyans knew Mutuse during the impeachment process of Gachagua, the first-term lawmaker is not new in the eyes of Machakos county residents.

When Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua was elected as Machakos county governor during his first term in office in 2013, he named the little-known Mutuse as his Chief of Staff and Personal Assistant.

As the then governor’s confidant, many were not aware that the then local politician was the initial force behind Mutua’s election.

Actually, Mutua was rewarding him for his effort.

Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse with CS Alfred Mutua moments after moving Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment motion. PHOTO/@HonMwengiMutuse/X

Well, that was not the first time Mutuse and Mutua were working together, since he had worked as a Communication Officer at the Cabinet Office under the Government Spokesperson from 2004 to 2007.

Before venturing into politics, Mutuse also served as Regional Coordinator for Maendeleo Resource Trust from 2007 to 2008.

He won a political seat in 2022 to represent Kibwezi West constituency in the National Assembly.

As an MP, Mutuse is particularly interested in budget-making, environment and water issues, and infrastructure development, with a focus on roads and transport.

He is also a co-vice chairperson of the National Assembly’s Legal Caucus, alongside Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo.

The National Assembly’s legal caucus’ roles include advising the Speaker and the House on legal matters.

The team also provides pro bono legal services whenever the National Assembly faces litigation, among other responsibilities.

Mutuse is also a member of the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC).

Mutuse’s education background

Mutuse’s early education saw him attend Makueni Boys High School from 1994 to 1997, when he sat for his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).

He went to Kanyangu Primary School for his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) from 1986 to 1993.

He attended the University of Nairobi for his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) and excelled with a Second Class Honours, Upper Division, in 2014.

He then attended the same institution for a Master of Laws (LL.M) between 2015 and 2016.

Mutuse additionally attended the Kenya School of Law from 2016 to 2018.

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