I was offered Sh4 million bribe to vote for Gachagua’s impeachment, Senator Maanzo says
The Makueni senator said that those who were inclined to vote against the impeachment motion were subjected to threats.
Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo has claimed that he was offered a bribe of Sh4 million to vote in favour of Rigathi Gachagua's impeachment as the Deputy President.
Speaking on Citizen TV on Tuesday, Maanzo claimed that state agents made the offer to influence the vote during the impeachment process.
More To Read
Maanzo alleged that the bribery attempt came with a clear warning: "At least in the Gachagua matter there was such [an] approach and it didn't work and it had conditions. It was an offer of Sh4 million if you vote YES. And if you take it, and vote NO, then you'd not get to your home," he said.
The senator said that those who were inclined to vote against the impeachment motion were subjected to threats.
"They said for Gachagua's removal they want a 100 percent vote of the Senate. Some of them are MPs, and others come from the hill (State House)," Maanzo said.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua appearing before MPs on October 8, 2024. (Photo: National Assembly)
This new revelation adds to the ongoing controversy surrounding the impeachment motion.
In an earlier address, Gachagua claimed that some of his political opponents were offering bribes to Members of Parliament in a bid to secure support for his removal.
In September, while addressing Mwea residents in Kirinyaga County, Gachagua accused his detractors of attempting to bribe county Woman Representative Njeri Maina and Senator James Murango. Both legislators, according to Gachagua, declined the bribe offers, with Maina reportedly being offered Sh5 million to sign the impeachment motion.
The details surrounding the impeachment of Gachagua are complex. On October 17, 2024, the Senate voted on the motion, with multiple grounds cited against the Deputy President.
The vote results revealed deep divisions within the Senate, with varying levels of support for each of the grounds.
For example, 51 Senators supported the ground of gross violation of the Constitution on undermining the judiciary, while 45 voted against it. On the other hand, the ground of gross misconduct related to public attacks on the National Intelligence Service garnered the support of 46 Senators.
Top Stories Today
