Gachagua defends 'theatre of absurd' comment, apologises to MPs for misunderstanding

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has defended his remarks describing the National Assembly as a "theatre of absurd".

In a national address on Monday, Gachagua criticised the motion to impeach him, stating, "I think tomorrow will be the greatest circus, or do I call it the theatre of the absurd, that DP Rigathi Gachagua, undertaking duties assigned to him by the President to fight illicit brews and drugs, should be impeached because by doing so, he is interfering with devolution."

However, while appearing before Parliament on Tuesday to respond to the impeachment motion, Gachagua clarified that his comments were directed at a specific part of the motion.

He explained that his words referred to the accusation that he was undermining devolution by organising meetings across the country to tackle illicit brews, which led him to describe the proceedings as absurd.

He emphasised that this should not be interpreted as a lack of respect for the National Assembly. Gachagua went on to apologise to the House, acknowledging that his comments, made during a live press briefing, might have been misunderstood.

“I have been accused of undermining devolution by holding meetings to fight alcohol. I am sorry, Mr. Speaker, if the House took it that I said the House is a theatre of absurd,” Gachagua said.

He elaborated further on his intentions, saying, “I was talking about this specific charge of undermining devolution by holding meetings to fight alcohol, which will be discussed in this House. That, to me, is what I thought at that moment to be the theatre of the absurd. I did not in any way demean this House, which I sat in for five years, by calling it the theatre of the absurd. I was specifically addressing this particular charge.”

Gachagua, who served as Mathira MP from 2017 to 2022, underscored his deep respect for Parliament, recalling his time in the House fondly.

“I have tremendous respect for this great institution, having served as a member between 2017 and 2022, and I appear here in a very nostalgic moment that I am back in the House,” he said.

His remarks came in response to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, who asked the Deputy President to clarify his comments. Wetang'ula had earlier criticised Gachagua’s press briefing as inappropriate, given that it addressed a motion that was currently before Parliament.

“As you take the floor, it is only fair that as an immediate former member of this House, you exercise conscience to hold us to whether this is a theatre of absurd or is an honourable National Assembly of Kenya,” Wetang'ula said during the session.

The Speaker also noted his disapproval of Gachagua’s press remarks, describing them as "abhorrent" due to their timing and content.

“I will not act as a judge in this matter, but I must put on record that the Deputy President’s conduct was, to say the least, abhorrent, especially considering the ongoing parliamentary proceedings,” Wetang'ula said.

Despite the tensions, Gachagua maintained that his statement was not meant to insult the National Assembly but to point out what he saw as an unreasonable accusation within the motion to impeach him. His apology and explanation were aimed at clearing any misunderstanding that may have arisen from his initial comments.