An impeachment motion has formally been tabled in Parliament against Kenya’s Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua.
On Tuesday afternoon, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula read out the impeachment motion filed by Kibwezi West Member of Parliament (MP) Mwengi Mutuse against the DP after confirming that 291 MPs had supported it hence surpassing the threshold. For any motion to be tabled, it requires the support of at least 117 lawmakers.
The lawmaker tabled a 100-page document, indicating that he had satisfactory evidence to support his grounds and prove that Gachagua is not suitable to remain in office.
“Article 145 (1) of the Constitution provides that a member of the National Assembly supported by at least a third of all the members may move a motion for impeachment of the president or deputy on the grounds of gross violation of the Constitution,” Speaker Wetangula stated.
“Having examined the special motion by Kibwezi West MP, I find that the special motion meets the requirement relating to threshold set out in the Constitution.”
He added: “I have also satisfied myself that the number of members who have appended their signatures in support of the special motion exceed the minimum threshold of 117 members in this House.”
While tabling the motion, MP Mutuse noted that the DP’s conduct in the past two years violated the oath he took to assume office.
“The motion contains 11 grounds for impeachment. In compliance with the law, the grounds are concise, precise are particularized in the motion and are supported by convincing, persuasive materials in the nature of documents, affidavits and electronic evidence,” the MP said.
“I will also be presenting live witnesses who will testify to corroborate the evidence that we have adduced in support of the grounds of impeachments.”
Some of the grounds that he tabled include dividing Kenyans on ethnic lines, undermining the presidency, violating the oath of office and contradicting the National Cohesion and Integration Act.
Others include allegedly amassing Ksh.5.2 billion property through corrupt means, inciting the public against the Nairobi County governments’ directives, gross misconduct and bullying.