Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection Alfred Mutua has openly endorsed the calls for the impeachment of Deputy President Geoffrey Rigathi Gachagua.

In a statement on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, the CS boldly claimed that the Second in Command should be ejected from office for perpetuating tribalism.

Through a lengthy post, the CS also accused DP Gachagua of corrupt dealings. He, however, did not mention the specific deals in question.

“That is why this motion for the impeachment of rogue Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is not about politics but about saving Kenya’s soul,” Mutua’s statement read in part.

In his message, CS Mutua also applauded Kibwezi West Member of Parliament Mwengi Metuse, who filed the impeachment motion. 

Speaker approves motion

On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula read out 11 allegations levelled against DP Gachagua.

During the reading, he noted that the special motion met all the thresholds to allow the MP to move the motion.

“Having examined the notice of the special motion of Kibwezi West MP, I find that the special motion meets the requirement relating to form and thresholds set out in Articles 145(1) and 150(1)B of the Constitution order and standing order of the Constitution 641,” the Speaker stated.

On the other hand, Mutuse argued that he had attached electronic evidence, witnesses, and documents to support the impeachment motion filed against DP Gachagua.

He told the MPs that he had provided a 100-page document implicating DP Gachagua in various issues. Further, Mutuse indicated that 291 MPs had appended their signatures to the impeachment motion.

The tabling of the special motion sets the pace for the battle between Gachagua and MPs.

On Monday, September 30, 2024, DP Gachagua made it clear that he is ready to respond to the accusations contained in the impeachment motion.

High Court orders

This comes after the High Court declined to give interim orders that could have stopped the National Assembly from tabling a motion on Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment.

In a ruling on Monday, September 30, 2024, Judge Bahati Mwamuye declined a request to stop the tabling and debate on the impeachment motion filed by former United Democratic Alliance Secretary General Cleophas Malala.

‘I note that the Chamber Summons and the Petition seek interim and final orders respectively against the Respondents and the 1st and 2nd Interested Parties restraining them, jointly and severally, from tabling, debating, considering, or acting upon any motion for the removal or levying of sanctions against the 3rd Interested Party, the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya,” the judge stated.