"Kufa Dereva kufa Makanga" pro-Chagagua supporters sing as protestors clash in Bomas

Nairobi, 

Friday, 4 October, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

A public participation event turned rowdy at the Bomas of Kenya as protestors clashed over the impeachment motion of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. 

Pro - Gachagua supporters were heard singing "Kufa Dereva kufa Makanga" a phrase to mean that If the Deputy President of Kenya was Impeached then the President should go down along with him. 

"BOTH OF THEM, the whole Presidency go home! The Speaker should take charge for 90 days (sic) and let’s have a new government !” A member of the public submitting views at the Bomas of Kenya on the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said.

Civic Activist Morara Kebaso who turned up for the Bomas event was met with a rowdy reception as goons attacked him and his team forcing him to flee to safety. 

Morara was accused of being hired to compromise the event. 

Ruaraka Legislator TJ Kajwang who was coordinating the event was heard inciting youths to attack the activist. 

"I was denied the mic at BOMAS. Chaos erupted. I am hurt. Headed to hospital. I live to speak another day." Morara took to his social media shortly after the incident. 

This comes as a nationwide public participation drive is currently underway at different parts of the country with Kenyans given an opportunity to express their views regarding the impeachment motion. 

On Thursday, Gachagua lost his bid to halt the public participation forums. He argued that these forums should be conducted in all 290 constituencies, as well as in the diaspora and the 1,450 electoral wards where presidential elections occur. In his petition, Gachagua contended that holding the public participation exercise for just one day is "grossly insufficient to facilitate any meaningful public participation."

The High Court declined to issue interim orders to stop the exercise and has scheduled a hearing for October 9, 2024.

In the impeachment motion, Gachagua faces accusations of dividing Kenyans along ethnic lines, undermining the presidency, violating his oath of office, and contradicting the National Cohesion and Integration Act. Additional grounds for impeachment include allegedly amassing Ksh. 5.2 billion in property through corrupt means, inciting the public against directives from the Nairobi County government, gross misconduct, and bullying.

The National Assembly has a seven-day timeline, which expires on Tuesday, to decide on the special motion to impeach Gachagua before the Senate takes up the matter.