Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua claimed President William Ruto approved the ongoing impeachment motion against him.
In a statement from his Karen residence on Monday, Gachagua expressed frustration, accusing Ruto of giving the green light for the motion to be tabled in the National Assembly. He cited their reportedly strained relationship as a critical factor behind the move.
Gachagua explained that a motion of such magnitude could not have reached Parliament without the President’s approval, shifting responsibility to the head of state. "It’s true, this motion could not proceed without the President’s consent," Gachagua said.
Did you read this?
While declining to delve deeper into the issue, the Deputy President promised to address it comprehensively when he appears before Parliament to defend himself. He also vowed not to resign, maintaining that he was elected by Kenyans, not politicians, and would continue to serve them.
"I was elected by 7.2 million Kenyans, and I will not resign without public consultation. I intend to fight until the end," he stated, adding, "I will get justice and continue with my duties as Deputy President. Anyone suggesting I step down is wasting time."
Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse introduced the impeachment motion, which featured 11 accusations that Gachagua dismissed as baseless and defamatory. He described the claims as “outrageous propaganda” to tarnish his image and remove him from office.
Gachagua further asserted that the impeachment vote, scheduled for Tuesday, will be a disgraceful moment in the National Assembly's history, as it seeks to oust a democratically elected leader on false grounds.
The motion garnered support from 291 lawmakers and went to public participation across Kenya’s 47 counties on Friday. Meanwhile, President Ruto has remained silent on the issue.