Gachagua impeachment: Chaos at Bomas as Nairobi residents seek to give views

Bomas of Kenya, the venue chosen for public participation for Nairobi residents in the ongoing process to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was a tense scene on Friday morning.

City residents who were struggling to get into the main hall of the meeting engaged with police who were trying to maintain order. Some complained of being forcibly removed or denied access to the event.

As the situation outside of the Hall remained tense with youths chanting and shouting despite the heavy police presence, a section of residents and leaders including Ruaraka MP Tom Kajwang' and his Kibra counterpart Peter Orero were going on with the proceedings.

Those who were locked out expressed dissatisfaction with the exercise, terming it a sham.

"It is not fair that we can come from Embakasi to give our views on the removal of the Deputy President yet we get locked out from the session,” Kennedy Ndege said.

Others who couldn't access the venue camped outside as police patrolled the venue, with their lorries and water cannons ready to tackle any undesirable eventualities.

The public participation in the impeachment of Gachagua kicked off countrywide Friday morning and it was being conducted across all 47 counties.

A public participation session on the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at the Bomas of Kenya on October 4, 2024. (Photo: Barack Oduor)

The exercise will afford Kenyans an opportunity to make submissions on the special motion sponsored by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse at designated centres within the constituencies.

According to the National Assembly, the exercise kicked off Friday morning in several areas including Uasin Gishu, Meru, and the Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi.

Kenyans started streaming in as early as 6 am to fill in the provided questionnaires, with the public participation exercise scheduled to run the whole day Friday.

“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,” said National Assembly.

This comes after the High Court declined to stop the public participation after Gachagua filed an urgent application seeking to stop it, citing a lack of legislative procedure.

Justice Bahati Mwamuye directed applicants to serve respondents ahead of the mention next week on Wednesday.

“The application dated 02/10/2024 shall be mentioned on 09/10/2024, virtually, to confirm compliance and to take directions on the expedited hearing and determination of the matter,” read the court papers.