Moment of truth for embattled DP Gachagua
By Maureen Kinyanjui |
National Assembly Majority Leader and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wah has confirmed that the motion will be introduced on the House floor.
The political future of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua hangs in the balance as an impeachment motion is set to be tabled on Tuesday afternoon at the National Assembly.
Documents seen by The Eastleigh Voice reveal that Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse will move the impeachment motion against Gachagua.
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National Assembly Majority Leader and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wah has confirmed that the motion will be introduced on the House floor.
For the motion to advance, it needs the backing of 233 MPs, and reports indicate that 302 members have already signed in support.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula is expected to inform MPs about the motion aimed at removing the DP from office.
This follows the failure of three petitioners; former UDA secretary-general Cleophas Malala, Sheria Mtaani, and Shadrack Wambuito obtain court orders to block the impeachment process.
A fourth petition by Obuli Namenya and five others is still pending in court.
Malala and Wambui argued that the motion should be dismissed due to the unconstitutionality of Parliament, referencing former Chief Justice David Maraga's recommendation for the dissolution of Parliament over its failure to enact required legislation.
Meanwhile, Sheria Mtaani and Wambui raised concerns about Speaker Wetang'ula's impartiality after he seemed to support the motion. Namenya and others questioned the constitutionality of the National Assembly's House Standing Orders, claiming they lacked public participation.
MPs united
At the National Assembly, it's reported that already 300 MPs had signed the petition to remove the Deputy President by Thursday last week when the motion was submitted to the Speaker for review.
According to the Constitution, at least a third of the 349 MPs, or 117 members, must sign the impeachment motion for it to be introduced in the House. A two-thirds majority of the MPs is necessary to approve the motion.
The House Standing Orders specify that this type of motion takes precedence over other scheduled business.
"When the motion has been passed by two-thirds of all members of the National Assembly, the Speaker shall inform the Speaker of the Senate of that resolution within two days," reads Article 145 (2) (a) of the Constitution.
Additionally, Standing Order 64 (2) requires that such motions be addressed by the Speaker within three days of receiving notice from the sponsoring member.
Facing the looming threat of impeachment, Gachagua held a media roundtable targeting the Rift Valley region on Monday evening, making an emotional appeal to the president and regional leaders to reconsider the push for his removal from office.
"You will be shocked. Let's wait and see (whether the impeachment happens). I hear the motion is tomorrow."
"I am ready for the consequences of the impeachment. I will not die. No one dies after being impeached," a confident Gachagua stated.
All eyes are now at the National Assembly ahead of the plenary sitting at 2.30 pm.
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