Kamukunji residents shun public participation on motion to impeach DP Gachagua

A public participation exercise on the motion to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua failed to attract a majority of Kamukunji constituents as it entered its second day on Saturday at the California Resource Centre.

The exercise that began on Friday at the Bomas of Kenya had been extended to Saturday by the High Court to allow for meaningful public participation but failed to achieve much in the constituency as those who showed up mainly expressed their lack of support for the motion and those that failed expressed disinterest in the matter.

At the same time, some of those who showed up complained that they had no prior knowledge of whether the exercise had been extended to today, adding that they were not aware of its venue either.

At the end of the day, the persons leading the exercise said they returned a number of the forms, unfilled as only about 100 managed to give their views.

Stephen Njoroge, a resident of California, said he remains opposed to the move to impeach the DP.

"If one has to go, then let all leave and if possible even the members of parliament so that we go back to the ballot entirely," he said.

On his part, John Waithaka said he is opposed to the impeachment motion as it does not benefit him as a person.

"I don't see how an impeachment motion like that benefits me. My focus at the moment is sourcing money to cater to my bills and expenses. I decided not to show up for the exercise because it adds no value to me. I also wasn't aware of the venue of today's exercise. I assumed that the process would proceed at Bomas where accessing would have also been a problem since I cannot waste my funds to go all the way without getting any benefit," he said.

Salim Juma, a community leader, also said he is opposed to the impeachment motion.

"I did not participate in the exercise yesterday because the cost of transport to and fro is a bit high, around Sh500. I came here today because it's closer to home and my stand is, I do not support the plans to impeach the Deputy President. There are many other pressing issues to deal with such as the cost of living which should be prioritised by parliament. The low turnout is a boycott of the exercise," he said.

A few residents showed up at the California Resource Centre where the public participation exercise on the motion to impeach DP Rigathi Gachagua was held. (Mary Wambui)

On her part, Damaris Tobweso, a resident of Kiambiu who showed up for the exercise, said she is opposed to the impeachment motion."Rigathi Gachagua should remain there as the Deputy President, we love him and do not see the mistakes he is being accused of. The government should slow down on this issue until 2027 when we head to the polls," she said.

On Tuesday, the National Assembly announced venues for the start of the Public participation exercise across the 47 counties with Speaker Moses Wetang'ula noting that public participation is an integral element of the process of removal of an elected State Officer from office.

"The House Business Committee has approved a program of public participation exercise across the country to be coordinated from 47 counties on October 4, 2024," said the Speaker at the time.

Consequently, all parliamentary activities previously scheduled between Thursday and Monday, October 7, remain suspended to pave the way for the exercise.

However, on Friday, the High Court sitting at Kerugoya acknowledged Friday's public hearings and further ordered that the National Assembly organise similar public hearings closer to the citizens at least at the constituency level.

Following the order, parliament announced that the public would be allowed to gather at every Constituency or County Woman Representative's office from 8 am to 5 pm to take part in the exercise.

As the court issued the order, Gachagua contested the exercise terming it "grossly insufficient to facilitate any meaningful public participation."

The motion proceeds on Tuesday when the Deputy President is expected to appear before the House to defend himself or through a lawyer between 5 pm and 7 pm.