Wiper Democratic Movement party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has given a hint at why embattled Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has opted not to resign.

The former Vice President while appearing in a televised interview with one of the local TV stations on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, night, revealed the biggest risk Gachagua runs, should he choose to resign now.

Trumped up charges

According to Kalonzo, DP Gachagua stares at possible trumped up charges aimed at demeaning his character if he decides to resign before the conclusion of his impeachment process.

Kalonzo who has since installed himself as the de facto opposition leader following former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s exit, argues that he respects Gachagua’s decision of not resigning, based on the critical stage his impeachment process is currently at.

He went ahead to argue that should Gachagua resign, he will be deemed to have pleaded guilty to the 11 counts of charges he is facing, creating ground for his prosecution.

“I think I respect his judgement because the stage at which this process is now, because if he resigns now, everybody will say that there are things. In fact, he runs the risk of being charged, manipulation, trumped up charges and all manner of things to demean his character,” Kalonzo stated.

Kalonzo on Gachagua’s impeachment

Moreover, Kalonzo encouraged Gachagua to fight on, if he has nothing to fear about.

According to him, the embattled DP will have a name to take home should the Senate vote to uphold his impeachment by the National Assembly.

DP Gachagua has since pledged to stand his ground and fight to the very end.

Addressing a press conference at his official Karen residence about a week ago, DP Gachagua maintained that he would not resign because he was elected by 7.2 million Kenyans.

“When I called this press conference, there was a lot of speculation that I want to resign. This is a man elected by 7.2 million Kenyans; how dare you suggest that he could do so without public participation? I have no intention whatsoever to resign from this job, and I will fight to the end,” Gachagua stated.

Senate hearing

The Senate will today, Wednesday, October 16, 2024, commence the hearing of DP Gachagua’s impeachment.

This is after the High Court on Tuesday, October 15, declined to issue order stopping the process.

DP Gachagua faces 11 counts of charges, including gross misconduct and corruption, which led to his impeachment by the National Assembly.