Public participation on DP Gachagua’s impeachment kicks off nationwide

Public participation regarding the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has officially begun across Kenya.

The forums are being held across the 47 counties, allowing Kenyans to voice their opinions on the special motion introduced by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse.

A spot check by The Eastleigh Voice revealed that the exercise started early in various counties including Uasin Gishu, Meru, Nyeri, Kisumu, and Nakuru.

In Nairobi, residents can share their views at the Bomas of Kenya, which has been designated as the collection centre for public feedback from all constituencies in the city.

Participants started arriving at the Bomas of Kenya as early as 6 am to fill out questionnaires, with the public participation event scheduled to run throughout the day.

“It is all systems go at the Bomas of Kenya, the collection centre for public views from all constituencies in Nairobi County in regards to the Special Motion on Removal from Office by Impeachment of the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua,” stated the National Assembly.

This public engagement follows a recent court ruling.

The High Court declined Gachagua’s urgent application to halt the public participation, which he claimed was not being conducted according to legislative procedures.

On Thursday, the DP lost his attempt to stop the forums, arguing that they should be held across all 290 constituencies, in the diaspora, and the 1,450 electoral wards involved in presidential elections.

He described a one-day public participation exercise as "grossly insufficient to facilitate any meaningful public participation".

Justice Bahati Mwamuye instructed the involved parties to prepare for a mention on October 9, 2024, to confirm compliance and discuss the next steps in this expedited hearing.

The impeachment motion against Gachagua includes serious allegations like dividing Kenyans along ethnic lines, undermining the presidency, violating his oath of office, and breaching the National Cohesion and Integration Act.

Additional charges include allegedly acquiring Sh5.2 billion in property through corrupt means, inciting public dissent against directives from the Nairobi County government, and engaging in gross misconduct and bullying.