DP Gachagua explains ‘theatre of the absurd’ remarks, apologises to MPs

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has clarified remarks targeting the National Assembly where he referred to the House as a ‘theatre of absurd’.

Appearing before the National Assembly to respond to the Impeachment Motion tabled against him, Gachagua defended his utterances saying that he was referring to a section in the motion which faulted him for holding meetings countrywide pushing for an end to illicit brew.

Gachagua argued that the particular ground for impeachment led to his description of the House as a ‘theatre of absurd’, adding that that should not be deemed that he does not respect Parliament.

He apologised to the House for the comment made during a live press address on Monday Night, opining that his remarks may have been taken out of context.

"I have been accused of undermining devolution by holding meetings to fight alcohol. I am sorry Mt Speaker if the House took it that I said the House is a theatre of absurd," he said.

"I was talking about this specific charge of undermining devolution by holding meetings to fight alcohol, which will be discussed in this House. That to me is what I thought at that moment to be the theatre of the absurd. I did not attribute in any way by trying to demean this House that I sat in for five years by calling it the theatre of the absurd. But this particular charge."

The DP went on to underscore that having served as Mathira MP for one term, he accorded the National Assembly the utmost respect as an independent institution.

“I have tremendous respect for this great institution having served as a member between 2017 and 2022 and I appear here in a very nostalgic moment that I am back in the House,” Gachagua noted.

The DP’s rebuttal came after National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula asked the former to substantiate the remarks before tabling his defence.

“As you take the floor…it is only fair that as an immediate former member of this House that you exercise conscience to hold us to whether this is a theatre of absurd or is an honourable National Assembly of Kenya,” Wetangula stated.

He said, "I will not act as a judge in this matter, but I must put on record that the Deputy President’s conduct was, to say the least, abhorrent, especially considering the ongoing parliamentary proceedings," Wetangula stated during the session."