Kenyans push for Ruto’s resignation amid Gachagua’s impeachment process

By Peter Ochieng

Kenyans from all walks of life across the country are currently engaged in public participation over an impeachment motion against Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua.

The motion was tabled in the National Assembly on Tuesday afternoon by Kibwezi West Member of Parliament (MP) Eckomas Mwengi Mutuse, before Speaker Moses Wetang’ula directed that the public participation exercise be conducted today across the country.

At the Bomas of Kenya, Nairobi and in most parts of Mt. Kenya, some of the Kenyans who turned up called for the resignation of President William Ruto. They maintain that Ruto and Gachagua were elected on a single presidential ticket in 2022, and there is no way one can be hauled out of office before the end of their five-year term.

“The President must go, too,” said one Nairobi resident at the Bomas of Kenya. “We elected them together and so they should both go home,” added another.

In Nyeri, Gachagua’s home turf, residents warned that President Ruto will have a ‘slippery mountain’ to climb while seeking re-election in 2027, if Gachagua is impeached.

“Tupatane kwa debe 2027 (Let us meet on the ballot in 2027,” said one resident. However, others maintained that Gachagua should be impeached from office, having shown disrespect to the President. “Gachagua must go,” said activist Kasmuel Macoure.

Meanwhile, sections of Members of Parliament from the Mt Kenya region who had initially supported the motion to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua from office, have now changed their minds.

They were among 291 MPs who signed the impeachment motion against the Deputy President. They vowed to vote a “No” on the floor of the House on Tuesday next week.

“When we ask our people, they do not see this as a priority. There are other priorities which we should be focusing on. As representatives of the people, it is upon us to listen and do what they have asked,” said Tetu MP Geoffrey Wandeto. “So, on Tuesday, I will be voting no.”

"After soul-searching and reading through the motion I realised this is something our deputy president and the President sit down and resolve because Kenya is bigger than all of us. I have listened to the ground and the people of Nyeri have said they do not want the deputy president removed,” said Nyeri Woman Representative Rahab Mukami.

They were speaking from different platforms.