Morara Kebaso ‘looking for an MP’ to table impeachment motion against Ruto

By Peter Ochieng

Lawyer turned activist Morara Kebaso is out, ‘looking for a brave’ Member of Parliament (MP) that will table an impeachment motion against President William Ruto.

In a post on his social media pages on Wednesday, Kebaso said getting one MP to file the motion will be the first step towards removing Ruto from power, a day after 281 legislators voted in favour of an impeachment motion against Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua.

“While I am on holiday, I am looking for someone. We need just one brave MP to file an impeachment against President William Ruto. Just one,” he posted.

“Don’t worry about the votes, leave the MPs to us we will deal with them. Mmoja tu awekelee hiyo kitu. Kazi ingine atuachie (Only one to file the motion, the other job leave it to us).”

The constitution stipulates that a motion to impeach the President or his or her deputy can only originate from a Member of Parliament.

Article 145 of the constitution states that a member of the National Assembly, supported by at least a third of all the members, may move a motion for the impeachment of the President, on the ground of a gross violation of a provision of the constitution or of any other law; where there are serious reasons for believing that the President has committed a crime under national or international law; or for gross misconduct.

If a motion under clause (1) is supported by at least two-thirds of all the members of the National Assembly, the Speaker shall inform the Speaker of the Senate of that resolution within two days; and the President shall continue to perform the functions of the office pending the outcome of the proceedings required by this Article.

Within seven days after receiving notice of a resolution from the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Speaker of the Senate shall convene a meeting of the senate to hear charges against the President; and the Senate, by resolution, may appoint a special committee comprising eleven of its members to investigate the matter.

A special committee appointed under clause (3) (b) shall investigate the matter; and report to the Senate within ten days whether it finds the particulars of the allegations against the President to have been substantiated.

The President shall have the right to appear and be represented before the special committee during its investigations.

If the special committee reports that the particulars of any allegation against the President have not been substantiated, further proceedings shall not be taken under this Article in respect of that allegation; or have been substantiated, the Senate shall, after according the President an opportunity to be heard, vote on the impeachment charges.

If at least two-thirds of all the members of the Senate vote to uphold any impeachment charge, the President shall cease to hold office.

Kebaso started a brand-new form of activism in June, where he has been touring most parts of the country, exposing stalled projects despite having been allocated millions, if not billions of shillings.

His efforts have seen him get arrested twice, the latest one being on Tuesday.

He was released shortly after, claiming that he was arrested for declaring, “Kufa Makanga, Kufa Dereva.” The phrase has become common, with some Kenyans using it to push for removal from office, of both the President and his deputy.

He said he is taking at least a two-day break to recharge and re-strategise.