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Suna East Member of Parliament, Junet Mohammed, has raised concerns over the safety of National Assembly members ahead of the upcoming impeachment vote against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

During a parliamentary session on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, Junet urged the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula to guarantee the MPs who signed the impeachment motion security.

He emphasised that Police Inspector General Douglas Kanja should take measures to ensure the protection of all MPs, stressing the gravity of the impeachment process.

“Mr. Speaker, I seek your assurance that the 291 MPs who signed this motion of impeachment will have their safety guaranteed. We want all of them to be present on the day of voting. You understand the potential risks involved.

“The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kanja, must also ensure their safety. This is not a trivial matter. Let us not hold grudges; the House is simply fulfilling its constitutional mandate. Whether it’s a CS, president, or governor, impeachment is part of the constitution,” Junet asserted.

Impeachment motion approved

Speaker Wetang’ula confirmed that the impeachment process against DP Gachagua had been approved, stating that the motion met all requirements to be tabled before the House.

The motion was supported by more than the required 117 MPs for consideration.

“I find that the special motion meets the requirements relating to form and threshold set out in Articles 145 (1) and 150 (1)(b) of the Constitution and standing orders 64(1),” Wetang’ula said.

“I have also satisfied myself that the number of members who have appended their signatures in support of the special motion exceeds the minimum threshold of 117 members in this House,” he added.

Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, in his remarks, called the situation a historic moment, noting that the impeachment motion spans nearly 100 pages. He outlined 11 grounds for the proposed impeachment, including gross violation of the constitution and making inflammatory statements that allegedly threaten to discriminate against certain regions of Kenya in public service appointments and resource allocations.

Other grounds for impeachment include undermining the president’s directives, interfering with the functioning of the Nairobi County government, and attacking Lady Justice Esther Maina, who had presided over a court case that led to the freezing of Ksh200 million linked to Gachagua.

Additionally, Mutuse accused the Deputy President of amassing wealth totalling Ksh5 billion during the two years of the Kenya Kwanza administration. Properties allegedly acquired by Gachagua include the Outspan Hotel (purchased for Ksh535 million), Treetops Hotel, Olive Gardens Hotel, Queensgate Serviced Apartments, and Vipingo Beach Resort in Kilifi County.

Mutuse further accused Gachagua of committing economic crimes, threatening National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director General Noordin Haji, and bullying state and public officers.

After outlining the 11 reasons supporting his impeachment motions against Deputy President Gachagua, Mutuse emphasized that he was fulfilling his role as a member of parliament and he had no grudge whatsoever against the second in command.

“I have no grudge, malice, ill will, or any personal vendetta against Gachagua. I am just doing my duty as a citizen of the Republic of Kenya and executing my mandate as a member of this house to bring this motion,” Mutuse stated.