Babu Owino breaks silence over Gachagua's impeachment

By Robert Mutasi 

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino expressed his dissatisfaction with the impeachment of the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and added that the country had more pressing national issues that needed attention.

Owino took to his verified social media handles, where he expressed his opinion that pressing issues such as the Adani scandal, new funding model at universities, Social Health Insurance Fund-SHIF, high cost of living, high taxation, and joblessness required urgent attention.

How can I waste my precious whole day discussing about Rigathi, yet we have serious issues like Adani, a new university funding model, SHIF, high cost of living, high taxation, unemployment, among others, said Owino.

He further attacked the parliament's priorities, an issue he raised when he said, "You'll see me in parliament when these issues are presented but they will not bring them. I was highly engaged with other important and urgent matters affecting my constituents."

Impeachment for Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been a hot debate in Kenyan politics.

Members of Parliament voted on the motion on October 8, 2024, after a dramatic debate where Gachagua defended his name against various allegations. 

A significant number of MPs voted in favor, indicating deeply divided political spaces.

Claims of corruption and mismanagement in one of the key infrastructural developments have propelled the Adani scandal to center stage, accompanied by questions of governance and accountability.

On the other hand, the new university funding model has elicited a variety of debates on access and equity at the level of higher education.

SHIF is yet another contested matter; many Kenyans raise concerns over its implementation and what it portends for health services.

The citizens have also loudly protested against the high cost of living and heavy taxation, pinched by such economic pressures.

In addition, unemployment has remained one of the major challenges, particularly among the youth, who find it very challenging to secure meaningful job opportunities.

Indeed, Owino's call for a change in focus signals that these burning issues equally deserve the urgency accorded by the government and parliament to the impeachment proceedings.

The speed with which Rigathi was being impeached is the speed that ought to be employed to solve the challenges facing Kenyans, he affirmed.