Mt. Kenya Lawmakers Urge President Ruto to Intervene in Gachagua Impeachment – The East Observer
Lawmakers from the Mt. Kenya region are calling on President William Ruto to step in and resolve the ongoing impeachment motion against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, insisting the issue cannot proceed without the president’s involvement.
Led by Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu, the leaders vowed to oppose the impeachment, advocating for internal dispute resolution instead. They argued that the inclusion of Raila Odinga’s allies from the opposition coalition Azimio in the Kenya Kwanza government has contributed to Gachagua’s current predicament.
“If they vote to impeach the Deputy President, ODM’s role in his removal will be clear. We believe this broad-based government strategy is meant to sideline him,” Nyutu said.
Nyutu warned that if the impeachment succeeds, it will create a deep divide between President Ruto and the Mt. Kenya electorate. “Removing Gachagua means alienating the entire Mt. Kenya region. Dialogue is the only solution to these internal differences,” he added.
Maragua MP Mary Wamaua echoed these concerns, arguing that Gachagua was being targeted for advocating unity in the Mt. Kenya region. “If the Deputy President is being impeached for pushing for unity, history will judge this moment. They fear a united mountain,” she remarked.
Nyutu also drew parallels to the strained relationship between former President Uhuru Kenyatta and then-Deputy President Ruto, noting that impeachment was never considered during their fallout. “There’s nothing irreconcilable here. Even Uhuru didn’t push for Ruto’s impeachment through MPs,” he said.
Kigumo MP Joseph Kamau added that the impeachment debate reflects internal party disputes within the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), urging for internal resolution mechanisms to be given a chance.
The impeachment motion, formally introduced by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, accuses Gachagua of more than 10 violations, including constitutional breaches, corruption, and incitement. Mutuse submitted a list of 291 MPs backing the motion, surpassing the 117 signatures needed to initiate the process.
Despite the accusations, Mutuse emphasized that his actions were not motivated by personal grievances. “This is about fulfilling my duty as a representative of the people,” he said.
The motion, set for debate in Parliament, charges Gachagua with undermining national unity, promoting ethnic discrimination, and engaging in corruption. Nine witnesses have been lined up to testify against the Deputy President.
As the process unfolds, Mt. Kenya leaders continue to push for dialogue, warning that Gachagua’s impeachment could have lasting political consequences.
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Ugandan Citizen Abducted, Held in Secret Detention for Three Months, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice
A disturbing new case of unlawful detention has surfaced, highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Uganda. A Ugandan citizen was reportedly abducted and held in a secret facility, known as a “safe house,” for three months, only to be released without charge or explanation. This incident, reported by NTV Uganda, has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for accountability regarding human rights abuses in the country.
While the details surrounding the abduction remain unclear, reports indicate that the individual was taken without due process and held incommunicado—an action that has long been condemned by human rights organizations. The victim’s release, with no charges filed and no clear justification, has angered activists and citizens, who view this as yet another case of egregious abuse of power by the state.
“This is a recurring pattern,” said one human rights activist. “Abductions, secret detentions, and unexplained releases have become all too common in Uganda. These acts violate fundamental human rights and erode public trust in the justice system.”
The use of “safe houses,” unregistered detention facilities reportedly operated by security forces, has been a focal point in numerous allegations of torture and illegal imprisonment. Despite repeated calls from both local and international organizations for their closure and accountability for those involved, little action has been taken to address these violations.
This case underscores the urgent need for reform within Uganda’s security apparatus and greater accountability for human rights abuses. Observers hope that drawing attention to these injustices will spur concrete action to bring those responsible to justice and ensure the protection of basic human rights.
As frustration mounts, calls for both domestic and international pressure to hold the government accountable for such crimes grow louder. “One day, there must be accountability for all these crimes against our people,” stated one social media user, reflecting the sentiments of many Ugandans.
National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi has accused Ugandan security forces of using excessive force to disrupt a planned NUP gathering. The allegations were detailed in a statement shared on Twitter, following an event held to honor children of NUP supporters who were killed, disappeared, or detained for their political beliefs.
According to Kyagulanyi, security personnel, under the command of an officer identified as Asiimwe, carried out a preemptive operation early in the morning upon learning of the NUP’s plans. The forces allegedly stormed the premises, arrested workers, and deployed tear gas to disperse those present.
“The criminals under the command of one Asiimwe deployed early morning, arrested our workers, and threw tear gas into our premises. They’ve cordoned off the premises and blocked all people from accessing the place,” Kyagulanyi wrote.
Among those reportedly arrested were Saava Peter, Mudenya Samson, and Turyasingura Samson. Kyagulanyi claimed the detained workers were subjected to beatings and interrogated about their political affiliations, with security operatives labeling them as terrorists.
“These JATT operatives asked the workers who they support politically, branding them terrorists and criminals—their only crime being that they work with us. You can imagine the indignity!” Kyagulanyi lamented.
This incident adds to the growing tension in Uganda’s political climate, where opposition parties frequently accuse the government of stifling dissent. Despite the challenges, Kyagulanyi ended his statement with a message of defiance and optimism, proclaiming, “UGANDA WILL BE FREE.”
NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests
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Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum
Sudan has demanded an official apology from Uganda over “offensive and dangerous” comments made by the chief of Uganda army staff, who threated to invade Khartoum, the Sudan Tribune has reported.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and CDF of the Ugandan army, posted two comments on the X platform on Tuesday in which he threatened “to capture Khartoum” with the support of the US President elect Donald Trump after he takes office. The posts were deleted later.
“The government of Sudan demands and official apology from the Ugandan government for the offensive and dangerous comments of the army commander,” Sudan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the Sudan Tribune said it has seen.
Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum