National Assembly speaker Moses Wetang’ula has hit out at Deputy President Rigathi Rigathi Gachagua for holding a press conference ahead of his scheduled parliament appearance for the hearing of his impeachment case.
Speaking on the floor of the house just before the parliament commenced the Tuesday, October 8, 2024, proceedings, Wetang’ula stated that DP Gachagua held the press conference in defiance of the rules of the parliament.
According to the former Bungoma county senator, standing order number 85 which prohibits Members of Parliament from anticipating debate of a motion for which notice has been given, extends to non-members, especially those that have been affected by such motions.
“Before we commence today’s proceedings, permit me to state that I am aware that yesterday, the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya held an interview with the local media in which he laid out his defense to the special motion before the house.
“Whereas standing order number 85 prohibits members of this house from anticipating debate of a motion for which notice has been given, the standing order when broadly interpreted also extends to non-members especially persons affected by such motions,” Wetang’ula remarked.
Wetang’ula on Gachagua presser
Wetang’ula further stated that the second in command should have exercised restraint and refrained from holding the presser since he had already been invited to parliament to defend himself during the debate and voting on the impeachment motion.
“Noting that the special motion is scheduled for debate and voting today, I believe that the deputy president ought to have exercised restraint and refrained from holding the press interview. It is noteworthy that the deputy president has been given an opportunity to appear before this house to make his response to the motion,” Wetang’ula said.
Spk. Moses Wetangula: Before we commence today's proceedings, allow me to state that I am aware that yesterday the DP held an interview with the local media in which he held out his defence.#K24Siasa pic.twitter.com/jIMa3Lobwt
— K24 TV (@K24Tv) October 8, 2024
Gachagua’s presser
Gachagua on Monday, October 7, 2024, held a tell-it-all press conference at his official Karen residence to prosecute his impeachment case.
During the late Monday presser, Gachagua sought to clear his name from the various allegations that have been levelled against him in the impeachment motion.
He refuted claims of acquiring a vast wealth within the two years of assuming office, and instead attributed the wealth attached to the impeachment motion, to his late brother Nderitu Gachagua.
Gachagua also stated that 7.2 million Kenyans elected him and that he was not going to resign as speculated by most Kenyans.
He also vowed to fight to the end, revealing that his team of lawyers was going to challenge the public participation that was carried out on his impeachment.
