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.

Mt. Kenya Lawmakers Urge President Ruto to Intervene in Gachagua Impeachment