Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has dismissed impeachment claims purportedly advanced by some of his political adversaries. In an interview with Agikuyu vernacular media stations on Sunday, Gachagua acknowledged hearing about the impeachment efforts but expressed no concern over them.
"If advocating for my people is the cause of my impeachment, I am prepared to step down. I am still young," Gachagua stated.
The Deputy President suggested that the entry of ODM leader Raila Odinga and his supporters into the Kenya Kwanza government is linked to the impeachment talks. "I heard they wanted to impeach me but lacked the necessary numbers. Now, with Raila and his people in government, they believe they have the numbers to remove me if they unite," Gachagua said.
According to Gachagua, President William Ruto brought Raila and his team into the government to stabilize the country, not to orchestrate his impeachment. "Ruto did not tell me Raila was coming to oust me; he said they were coming to help, and I believed him. So, I am not taking the impeachment issues seriously," he explained.
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Regarding claims that MPs from the Mt Kenya region are leading the impeachment push, Gachagua found the notion surprising. He questioned why leaders from his region, for whom he has been advocating, would seek his removal.
"My thinking is simple: if it is our Mt Kenya people pushing for this motion, I would be shocked because I don't understand their problem. I am speaking for Mt Kenya people," he said. "If there's a motion, they should gather signatures from where they were elected first.
They should go back to the people because it is not the MPs who voted for me but Kenyans, particularly the Mt Kenya people, who supported me and Ruto overwhelmingly. It's not MPs who elected me. It's Kenyans. They should get the signatures from Kenyans, not MPs."
Gachagua's remarks come amidst reports of secret meetings and behind-the-scenes efforts to oust the country's second-in-command. Sources indicate that Gachagua is accused of insubordination, undermining the presidency, and fueling anti-government protests. He has faced criticism from some leaders within his Mt Kenya base. On Tuesday, DCI detectives questioned Gachagua’s associates regarding their alleged involvement in recent anti-government protests.
