Dan Maanzo speaks out on Parliament impeachment

By Robert Mutasi 

Makueni Senator Daniel Maanzo has gone ahead to stir the political pot with a daring utterance on the impeachment talk that rages in the country.

In an interview with Citizen TV on Monday, October 14, 2024, Maanzo said something touching on the state of Kenyan politics, specifically addressing the impeachment of parliament by the people.

"Parliament was impeached by Kenyans on 25th June," Maanzo said, pointing to the public discontent that has increasingly become visible in the national political environment. 

This statement has come amidst a number of political activities that have polarized the country, among them the ongoing debate on the possibility of impeaching Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Maanzo's statement calls upon the MPs to take a personal reflection on why the impeachment process took place. He urged, "MPs should ask themselves why this impeachment is happening." 

The outspoken politician insinuated that this current state of affairs is not just a political gambit but part of the growing frustration of ordinary Kenyans toward their elected representatives. 

The mention of June 25 seems to portend a wider wave of public opinion whereby Kenyans have so to say "impeached" their leaders in their hearts and minds-a sort of disapproval of parliamentary performance.

More over Maanzo seemed to issue a warning to politicians especially those behind the ongoing effort to impeach the Deputy President Gachagua. Let them do with DP Rigathi Gachagua what they want, but it shall be done to them by Kenyans," he said. 

This is one of those comments that show the consequence of some of the decisions taken in politics, whereby whatever the people are doing, they are closely watching their leaders. 

Maanzo meant that what happens with Gachagua might just become collective, according to how the public judges them.

In the recent months, Kenya's political climate has been charged with calls for reforms, accountability, and transparency resounding among Kenyans. 

This date of June 25th Maanzo is referring to could relate to protests or actions taken by the citizens based on their grievances; no formal impeachment process against the whole parliament has taken place in the legal sense.

In the meantime, Maanzo's addition only heightens a tense atmosphere, begs more questions than answers into the future of Kenyan politics and governance. In the meantime, the country remains in wait as both MPs and the Deputy President navigate through a complex public opinion and political survival.

For now, Maanzo's message is as crystal clear as day and night: the voice of the people of Kenya is supreme, and it is a voice that elected officials must listen to if they ever wish to continue their stay in government.