Majority Leader Ichung’wah confirms support for DP Gachagua impeachment

Tonny Ndungu
By Tonny Ndungu September 29, 2024 05:26 (EAT)
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Majority Leader Ichung’wah confirms support for DP Gachagua impeachment

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimai Ichung'wah. PHOTO: KIMANIICHUNGWAH/X

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National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah confirmed on Sunday that he has signed the motion to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, a historic first in Kenya. 

Speaking to congregants in Kikuyu, Ichung'wah emphasised that his decision to support the ouster was motivated by concerns about internal divisions within the government.

"It is true there is an impeachment motion against the Deputy President," Ichung’wah affirmed. "As the MP for Kikuyu, I have read the motion and appended my signature." 

He stated that the Kenya Kwanza government cannot afford to continue engaging in regional politics for the next three years.

"We need to focus on development politics to fulfill the promises we made," Ichung’wah added, distancing himself from Gachagua’s alleged ethnic-based politics. "I do not believe in the politics of ethnicity or sabotaging the government we formed."

Ichung'wah also accused some factions of attempting to divide the Kikuyu community ahead of the 2027 General Election by encouraging them to abandon the Kenya Kwanza alliance and form new political coalitions with figures such as Kalonzo Musyoka, George Wajackoyah, and Eugene Wamalwa.

He dismissed such strategies, stating, "They want us to abandon what we built so that others can benefit."

Legislators are expected to table the impeachment motion on Tuesday, with reports indicating that the signature collection was nearing the required threshold by Friday evening. 

The motion, which requires 117 signatures to be introduced in the House, must also gain the support of 233 MPs before being transmitted to the Senate.

By Friday, close to 300 signatures had been collected, according to National Assembly Deputy Majority Leader Owen Baya, with Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro adding, "There is a stampede; members are moving to sign the motion."

Regional caucuses have reportedly held secret night meetings to gather support, with leaders from Rift Valley, Mt. Kenya, Western, and Coast regions actively pushing for a unified stance ahead of the motion’s tabling.

The ouster motion has also received the support of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula who told congregants in Machakos on Sunday that Kenyan must embrace diversity. 

He appeared to back legislators accusing Gachagua of tribalism.

"We must know that our diversity is the source of our strength, and that is how we shall live," Wetangula said.


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