Another sign that all is not well within the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has fired at Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Duale, in a statement directed to the DP, who is under immense political pressure with an impeachment plot hanging around his neck, said that Kenya deserves leaders who serve and not those who deceive.
“True leadership puts the nation above personal gain. That is the founding principle of the Kenya Kwanza Administration.
“The Deputy President’s (second in command) recent actions reveal a troubling agenda that undermines unity and progress. Kenya deserves leaders who serve, not deceive,” Duale said in a statement posted on his X account on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.
Duale’s attack comes a day after Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana filed a censure motion against embattled DP.
In the motion filed on September 23, 2024, Mungatana argues that Gachagua has contravened Article 75 of the Constitution, which stipulates the conduct with which state officers should carry themselves.
“Aware that pursuant to Article 147 of the Constitution, the holder of the Office of the Deputy President is the principal assistant to the President, making the office a symbol of national unity, whose holder must at all times respect, uphold, and safeguard the Constitution; promote and enhance the unity of the Nation; and promote respect for the diversity of the people and communities of Kenya.
“Concerned that Hon. Rigathi Gachagua, E.G.H., on several occasions since his assumption to the Office of Deputy President, has made utterances, among others, regarding employment opportunities to Kenyans in the public service; allocation of resources to the devolved units; and incitement of a section of Kenyans to disobey lawful directives by some county governments,” Mungatana’s motion reads in part.
Atwoli’s criticism
On Monday, September 23, 2024, Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli added his voice to the raging political topic in the country.
Atwoli called out Gachagua, saying the DP’s position should be filled by a person appointed by the President.
“The position of deputy president must remain of appointment, and there would be no these circuses you hear. The deputy president should be an appointee of the president, not a running mate. Once he becomes a running mate, he thinks he is also a president,” Atwoli stated.
“President William Samoei Ruto is out of the country, and he (Gachagua) is on top of his car. Now he’s the real president, misleading people and misguiding the nation. He must be arrested.”
