Sifuna says he's ready to work with Gachagua despite backing his impeachment

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has said he's willing to work with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua despite having voted to impeach him, arguing that the opposition's shared goal of removing President William Ruto from office outweighs their past political differences.

Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV's The Explainer show, Sifuna said the Linda Mwananchi movement is prepared to work with anyone committed to upholding the Constitution, the rule of law and unseating President Ruto.

"We will work with everyone who believes in these things, the Constitution and the rule of law. We will work with anyone who believes that Ruto does not deserve an extra day in office and, for as long as that's our cause, we will work together," Sifuna stated.

The former Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General maintained that his decision to support Gachagua's impeachment remains justified over alleged interference with Nairobi County business. 

"Nothing has changed. First of all, as a lawyer, I'll tell you there's a rule against double jeopardy. He paid for his mistakes, he was impeached. What else do you want me to do, beat him?" he posed.

"I already voted to impeach him and it was for specific crimes, but he's the one now saying Ruto is an existential threat to this country and that whatever it takes, he can do to remove him."

He added that Gachagua bears a unique responsibility in efforts to remove President Ruto because of the role he played in helping him win power.

"He feels largely responsible for Ruto being in power and therefore he has a greater responsibility in removing him than anyone else, and that is something I agree with because, at the end of the day, we have to kick out Ruto," Sifuna stated.

The lawmaker also dismissed claims that he received a bribe to support Gachagua's impeachment, saying he required no inducement to vote in favour of the motion. 

"I did not need any inducement when it came to Gachagua's impeachment because I had publicly taken positions against some of his conduct and pronouncements, like his interference in the running and management of Nairobi City County," he said.

Sifuna's remarks were in response to recent remarks by National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, who alleged that legislators received bribes to impeach Gachagua. 

“Sasa wengine wanatuambia wako na watu, na wanataka kutupeleka kwa mtu sisi tuli-impeach, tulifukuza yeye kazi. Na unajua Waziri, wakati tulikuwa tunafukuza Rigathi Gachagua kazi, kuna kitu ilitembea hapo… huku Bunge, wacha niseme ukweli,” Junet stated during an ODM meeting held in Kakamega on July 26, 2026.