Wetang'ula, Mutuse slams Gachagua's confession

By Robert Mutasi 

Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang'ula has come out to condemn Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for holding a press briefing to defend himself against the looming impeachment motion.

Wetang'ula, who up until then had been one of the key movers of the proceedings, expressed his dissatisfaction with the manner in which Gachagua had moved to address the media ahead of his appearance before the National Assembly.

"I am aware that Gachagua held a press briefing where he outlined his defence over his impeachment motion. I think he should have restrained himself and not held the press interview. He has been accorded an opportunity to appear before the National Assembly to issue his response," said Wetang'ula.

The impeachment motion against Gachagua, spearheaded by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, had been gaining momentum for the last couple of weeks.

Mutuse's motion, which formally reached the floor of the House on 1st October 2024, cites several reasons against the Deputy President, including failure to comply with the constitution.

The motion has attained the constitutional threshold with the requisite signatures of members of the National Assembly and is expected to be debated within the coming days.

Wetang'ula's remarks have come when the National Assembly is about to debate the motion that may mark the end of Gachagua's political career.

The Speaker's stand reveals how grave the matter is, and the house needs to take the procedures.

"The Deputy President has been given every opportunity to present his case before the House. We are satisfied that due process is followed and that the Assembly allowed to make an informed decision based on the evidence presented," Wetang'ula added.

The press briefing by Gachagua, which was meant to win the public opinion in his support, has instead attracted criticism from various quarters.

Political analysts have said that this may be political miscalculation on the part of the Deputy President of the Republic and may weaken his position before the key debate.