Gachagua pleads not guilty to impeachment charges

By Peter Ochieng

Impeachment proceedings against Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua are ongoing at the Senate.

The second in command pleaded not guilty to all the 11 charges levelled against him, through the impeachment motion that originated from the National Assembly.

It was tabled by Mwingi West Member of Parliament (MP) Eckomas Mwengi Mutuse, before 281 legislators voted in its favour.

The Clerk of the Senate, Jeremiah Nyegenye took over 1 hour to read all the 11 charges to Gachagua. After every charge, the Clerk asked the DP whether pleaded guilty or not guilty.

“Not guilty,” responded the DP.

At some point, Senate Speaker Amason Jeffa Kingi directed Gachagua to take his seat and only stand while making a plea. However, the DP declined the invitation to sit, maintaining that he was okay standing.

The charges include gross violation of articles 10 (2) (a), (b) and (c); 27 (4), 73 (1) (a) and (2) (b); 75 (1) (c), and 129 (2) of the constitution and articles 147 (1), as read with article 131 (2) (c) and (d) of constitution, gross misconduct (insubordination) and gross misconduct (bullying), among others.

“His public statements promote division and undermine the core values of our Constitution, including unity and inclusiveness,” MP Mwengi states in the motion.

“Gachagua’s unilateral remarks contradict the policies we have collectively adopted as a government, damaging our credibility.”

“By interfering with the operations of county governments, he has undermined the fundamental principles of devolution that empower local leadership,” adds the first term MP.

Gachagua’s lawyers, led by Senior Counsel Paul Muite objected to the move by the National Assembly to enlist the services of Siaya governor, Senior Counsel James Orengo as one of their lawyers.

The DP’s team argues that by virtue of being a state officer, Orengo ought to be disqualified from representing the National Assembly in the proceedings. Speaker Kingi is set to deliver a ruling on the matter.