Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has stated that the Raila Odinga-led Azimio collection is engaging in a futile exercise by collecting signatures in an attempt to remove President William Ruto from power.

During the Saba Saba protests on Friday, Azimio began a vigorous campaign to collect 10 million signatures to depose Ruto from power.

PHOTO | COURTESY DP Rigathi and Raila

The DP, however, stated on Saturday in Giaituu village, Mathira constituency, that signatures do not decide elections.

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He made the remarks while attending the funeral of David Muriithi, a grass-roots political supporter.

"Even if they do collect those signatures, where are they going to take them?" "People voted, and that was the end of it," Gachagua added.

He added that the government is focused and is not bothered by the noise from the opposition.

Deputy Gachagua called Raila a failed project, adding that the Saba Saba protests were also a failed effort.

PHOTO | COURTESY DP Rigathi and Raila

"They are claiming that they will depose Ruto. How can they if they failed while he was not in charge? "There is no provision in the Constitution for gathering signatures," he explained.

For a sitting president to be removed from power, two things must happen impeachment or incapacity.

In impeachment, a legislator can move an impeachment motion backed by at least one-third of MPs for gross breach of the Constitution, commission of a crime under national or international law, or misconduct.

PHOTO | COURTESY  Raila

If two-thirds of MPs endorse the motion, the speaker forwards the information to his Senate counterpart, which is unlikely to happen because the opposition does not have the numbers in parliament. A hearing is called to hear the charges, and a special committee is formed to examine the subject. The President is permitted to testify before the committee and is also represented.

The former prime minister has continued to oppose the legitimacy of President William Ruto's rule and that of his government. Raila alleges that he won the presidential elections, but the win was stolen.