Nominated senators under pressure ahead of vote on Gachagua’s impeachment
By Maureen Kinyanjui |
Given the voting patterns observed in the National Assembly, a similar trend is likely to manifest in the Senate.
All eyes are on Senators as they prepare for today's impeachment vote against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
The lawmakers must navigate the delicate balance between party loyalty and personal judgment, with particular focus on the 20 nominated senators.
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These senators face the greatest pressure to align with their parties, as any dissent could jeopardise their positions.
Already, Mwangi Teresia Wanjiru, a nominated MP from President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA), is undergoing disciplinary action from the party for voting in favour of Gachagua in the National Assembly last week.
In a significant show of unity, 282 MPs mostly from Ruto's UDA and Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), voted to impeach Gachagua, while only 44 voted against the motion, with one abstention.
The battle to determine Gachagua's fate has now shifted to the Senate, where both party leaders maintain a strong presence.
In the 67-member Senate, UDA holds the majority with 32 senators, followed by ODM with 20.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta's Jubilee party has five senators, while Kalonzo Musyoka's Wiper has four.
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) has three, and the Democratic Party, Ford Kenya, and the National Reconstruction Alliance (NRA) have one each.
Given the voting patterns observed in the National Assembly, a similar trend is likely to manifest in the Senate.
Most Wiper senators, including Enoch Wambua, Agnes Kavindu, Dan Maanzo, and Shakila Abdallah, are expected to oppose the impeachment motion, following instructions from Musyoka.
In an interview with Citizen TV on Tuesday night, Musyoka criticised the impeachment process, terming the charges against Gachagua "frivolous".
He argued that the proceedings were rushed and lacked proper public participation, emphasising that the Deputy President was not afforded a fair opportunity to defend himself.
As the Senate prepares for the impeachment vote, concerns have arisen in Gachagua's camp regarding the treatment of nominated senators, particularly those from UDA.
Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, a supporter of Gachagua, claimed that intimidation and bribery were influencing the voting process.
"I believe so; it is obvious that intimidation and bribery were at the forefront. This is a very dangerous precedent that is being set," Kahiga stated.
However, he expressed hope that the Senate would reach an informed decision regarding the impeachment.
The Nyeri governor emphasised the importance of the Senate's role, noting that it must carefully evaluate the allegations against the Deputy President.
"The Senate will hear the allegations, give the DP his five hours, go through the evidence, and vote," he explained.
He expressed concern over the significant number of National Assembly lawmakers who voted for the impeachment, warning that such power could easily be used to amend the Constitution.
"The fact that you can be impeached on mere unproven allegations by 282 'representatives' of the people dancing to someone's tune is a very unfortunate state of our nation," Kahiga added.
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