Gachagua's impeachment: National Assembly releases list of venues for public participation

The National Assembly has released a list of venues where Kenyans can attend public participation to give their views on the proposed removal from office by impeachment of Embattled Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua.

This is after Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse tabled the motion on Tuesday afternoon, listing 11 reasons for Gachagua's removal.

Among the charges are gross violations of the Constitution, misconduct, breaches of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, and the Leadership and Integrity Act.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula confirmed that the motion met the required threshold of 117 MPs and was officially received by the Clerk of the National Assembly on September 27.

A total of 291 Members of Parliament appended their signatures in support of the motion.

As a result, in a notice on Wednesday Clerk of the National Assembly Samuel Njoroge said the exercise will take place on Friday for 9 hours across 47 counties.

"In compliance with Article 118(1) (b) of the Constitution, the Clerk of the National Assembly invites the public to make oral and/or written submissions and representations on the Special Motion for the removal from office, by impeachment, of H. E. Rigathi Gachagua, the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya in public hearings to be held on Friday, October 4, 2024 across the country coordinated from the 47 Counties from 8 am to 5 pm, as per the schedule," reads the notice.

Submission of views

Kenyans can also submit their views by sending letters to the Clerk of the National Assembly. P.O. Box 41842-00100, Nairobi or by hand-delivered to the Office of the Clerk at Main Parliament Buildings, Nairobi.

The views can also be emailed to impeachment@ parliament.go.ke to be received on or before Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 5 pm.

"Alternatively, the views may also be delivered at the respective collection centres as indicated in the Schedule of the public hearings on Friday, October 4, 2024, to be received by 5 pm," read the notice further.

The clerk also revealed that a Public Views Template providing guidance on the form of submission to be received is available on www.parliament.go.ke.

Also, copies of the Special Motion stating the grounds for removal and particulars of the allegations together with the relevant documents, may be downloaded from the parliamentary website www. parliament.go.ke.

Speaker Wetang'ula explained the importance of the process, stating that public participation is a key element in the removal of an elected state officer from office.

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"At the very outset, permit me to note that it would be absurd for any person to imagine that a motion such as the one presently before the House may be included without the participation of the public. I am indeed persuaded that public participation is an integral element of the process of removal of an elected state officer from office," he said.

After public participation, DP Gachagua is entitled to appear before the House in person through a legal representative or both during consideration of the motion.

The Speaker said that the special motion shall be considered on October 8, 2024, and has directed that the DP be notified of his right to appear on the said date and the allocation of time from 5 pm to 7 pm.

On Tuesday, October 8, 2024, a morning sitting will be held, followed by an early afternoon session to consider the impeachment motion.