MPs call for security boost amid Gachagua impeachment proceedings

Members of Parliament now want their security enhanced following the introduction of an impeachment motion against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

In a session on Tuesday, National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed called on Speaker Moses Wetang'ula to coordinate with the newly appointed Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, to ensure the protection of the 291 MPs who supported the motion.

Junet emphasised the need for security, noting that some lawmakers expressed concerns about supporting the motion aimed at ousting the country's second-in-command.

He drew parallels between Gachagua's potential removal and the impeachment of former US President Donald Trump, stating that MPs should be guaranteed safety both within Parliament and in their personal lives.

“I want to get your assurance as the boss of this House that the 291 MPs who have signed this motion, their safety and security will be guaranteed because the motion does not end at the notice but will go through to voting,” Junet said.

“We want those 291 MPs to turn up here on the day of voting without any one of them missing. IG of Police Kanja should guarantee the safety of the 291 MPs... Let us not begrudge anyone because what the House is doing is Constitutional. When the MPs were signing that is what they told me; we are in support but we want things done legally inside and outside parliament.”

Echoing Junet’s sentiments, Dadaab MP Farah Maalim insisted that security measures should also extend to President William Ruto.

He expressed concern that if Gachagua was to be ousted, Ruto would be expected to approve the motion. The MP claimed to possess information suggesting that certain unnamed individuals might attempt to influence the outcome of the impeachment by eliminating the President, thereby enabling Gachagua to assume power.

“Not only do we need to protect the 291 MPs who have appended their signatures, but we must also protect the system; the IG must protect the President because we know the type of Constitution we have. Any reckless thug might want to change the course of history. God forbid if anything was to happen to our President,” Maalim said.

“There are people that we are so worried about lately and I get the feeling that they can even have the capacity to plan something like that…if something were to happen, then we have much bigger problems to worry about.”

Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, who has been at odds with the Deputy President, also urged security agencies to ensure the protection of MPs both inside and outside Parliament.

Ichung’wah referred to the historical incident of the storming of Parliament during the Gen Z demonstrations, stressing the importance of heightened security for elected officials.

“The security of MPs is paramount. On June 25, you, Mr. Speaker, are a target for elimination based on the position you hold. You must direct the IG, who was approved by this House, to ensure that when this House is sitting inside and outside, members are secured, even in their houses,” he said.

Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse formally introduced the impeachment motion against Gachagua in Parliament on Tuesday, citing substantial grounds for his removal from office.

Speaker Wetang'ula confirmed that the motion had garnered support from 291 MPs, exceeding the necessary threshold of at least 117 lawmakers required for tabling.

Mutuse presented a comprehensive 100-page document detailing satisfactory evidence to support his claim that Gachagua is unfit to remain in office.