Divided opinions: Eastleigh residents react to political deadlock over Gachagua impeachment

A section of Nairobi residents have expressed mixed reactions about the current political stalemate in the country with a majority blaming the government for it and others expressing complete indifference, opting to numb their minds from what is happening.

For context, the presidency is currently facing a major standoff with impeached deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who has kicked off an aggressive battle against his removal in courts and managed to stall the appointment and subsequent swearing-in of his replacement, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki.

The Deputy President designate was set to be sworn in today at the Uhuru Gardens and National Monument, starting 10 am, according to confirmations by several government officials.

The event, however, failed to take off when the court orders set in, halting his appointment by the President via a gazette notice and subsequent swearing.

The first order issued by Justice Chacha Mwita stayed the implementation of the resolution by the Senate that upheld the impeachment charges against Gachagua, including the appointment of his replacement until October 24 when the matter will be mentioned before the bench to be appointed by the Chief Justice Martha Koome for appropriate orders and action.

Another order came in from the High Court sitting in Kirinyaga issuing conservatory orders against the implementation of the resolution of the Senate and preventing any person appointed by the President and approved by the National Assembly from assuming the office of the Deputy President.

Similarly, Justice Richard Mururu Mwongo further ordered that the file be placed before the Chief Justice for appointment of a bench that will attend to the matter on October 24.

A third order issued by Justice Bahati Mwamuye in Nairobi cited that the orders sought on behalf of DP Gachagua "may have been overtaken by events" by the date and time that the application was filed and placed before his court.

"Accordingly, it may be the case that those prayers are incapable of being granted ex parte," the judge ruled, adding that, the application, however, raises substantial questions of law and so significantly affects the public interest as to warrant certification by him.

However, a fresh order issued on Saturday by Lady Justice Dr Githiru Freda Mugambi moved the mention date to October 22 at 11 am, citing the urgency of the matter.

Kenyans who spoke to the Eastleigh Voice said the stalemate is a creation of the executive with some warning that it was raising unnecessary tensions in the country.

"Whatever they were doing was wrong, to begin with. The impeachment process was based on frivolous claims and was followed by a rushed series of events that made it look like the intention was to embarrass Gachagua but the process stalled. It's unfortunate that this is happening at the expense of other priorities like health, education and so forth," Stephen Njoroge, a resident of California ward who had expressed his displeasure with the plot to impeach Gachagua, said.

On her part, Jane Onyango, a fish vendor, said what is happening in the country is unnecessary.

"When I sit down to think about it, I wonder what are these leaders we elected whose focus is solely on their interests? I do not care about who gets to be appointed as the next DP as long as work is going on and there is less suffering amongst the people in their search for medical care, jobs, education for their children and so forth. I think we have all learnt how to make a better decision at the ballot come 2027," she said.

Julius Kinyua a youth in Majengo said all he hopes for is peace in the country. "As a hustler, I can tell you that we are struggling. Most of us in informal jobs are focused on satisfying immediate needs, it's a real jungle out here," he said.

Many Kenyans continue to feel the pinch of the high cost of living despite the latest leading economic indicator showing that in August the Kenyan shilling continued to appreciate against the US dollar.

The report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), however, notes that the Agriculture sector faced setbacks, with declines in cane deliveries, coffee and tea exports.

The retail prices for maize and beans, however, decreased and the trade volume declined, with China and the UAE as the leading sources of imports, while Uganda and Pakistan ranked as the primary export destinations.

"The telecommunications sector thrived, as mobile money transactions increased significantly. In the energy sector, local electricity generation saw a minor drop, but overall supply rose due to higher imports, boosting KPLC. Manufacturing sector experienced mixed results, with sugar production declining while soft drink output soared. Tourism grew, with an increase in visitor arrivals at major airports," notes KNBS.