Nakuru Town West Member of Parliament (MP) Samuel Arama has dismissed the dissenting views raised during public participation on the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Addressing the residents on Saturday, October 5, 2024, during the second day of the public participation exercise, Arama argued that the country’s priority at the moment was the impeachment motion.

Arama challenged the residents to take advantage of the exercise and express their views regarding the impeachment motion and the 11 grounds tabled in the National Assembly seeking to eject DP Gachagua from office.

“Most people don’t understand what we are trying to do. The priority now is the impeachment of the Deputy President; that is a priority for the time being. Other priorities will come when we do other things.

“When it comes to public participation, Members of Parliament only facilitate the exercise. So just say you are supporting or not supporting the Deputy President. These other things are not holding any water,” the Nakuru Town West Member of Parliament stated.

“If other priorities come, we will talk about them when that time comes,” Arama responded when asked that some residents had expressed concerns over the Social Health Insurance Fund’s (SHIF) launch, the disputed new university funding model, and the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport’s (JKIA) takeover deal by Adani Group.

Chaos condemned

At the same time, Arama pointed an accusing finger at non-residents for disrupting the public participation exercise by causing chaos.

“Disrupting the exercise won’t help save the Deputy President. If you are not supporting, fill out the form and submit,” he reiterated, assuring the residents of a peaceful exercise.

The public participation exercise entered its second day following High Court orders. In a notice issued on Friday, October 5, 2024, Clerk of the National Assembly Samuel Njoroge said the extension would allow adequate time for all citizens to submit their views across the 290 constituencies countrywide.

The Clerk further noted that the public would be allowed to gather at every constituency or County Women Representative’s office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to take part in the exercise.

“Noting that the High Court of Kenya sitting at Kerugoya acknowledged the public hearings of today, 4th October 2024, and further ordered that the National Assembly organize similar public hearings closer to the citizens at least at constituency level on each constituency in Kenya to enable the constituents of Members of Parliament responsible for the impeachment process nationally to engage with and participate on hearings and/or any other suitable modes by which citizens at that level can participate and offer their representations…” stated the notice.

Gachagua’s day of fate

Tuesday, October 8, 2024, is expected to be a deciding day for the DP Gachagua, where the mover of the special impeachment motion, Mwengi Mutuse (Kibwezi West MP), will prosecute his case through presenting documents, witnesses, and video clips.

After his presentation, Gachagua will have two hours to defend himself before the MPs vote to decide his fate.

If the impeachment motion sails through, Gachagua will have another chance to face the Senate, which acts as the jury in the impeachment case.

Senate’s decision will seal the fate of DP Gachagua.