An opinion poll conducted by Trends and Insights For Africa (TIFA) has revealed that a bigger section of Kenyans want Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua removed from office by impeachment.
In the research that was conducted between October 1, 2024, and October 4, 2024, 41 per cent of Kenyans support DP Gachagua’s ouster.
Supporting Gachagua impeachment
They have given various reasons for supporting the impeachment of the second in command.
According to the report by TIFA that was released on Monday, October 7, 2024, DP Gachagua’s perceived discriminatory attitude and speech in favour of the people from the Mt Kenya region is the major reason why Kenyans want him ousted.
The report reveals that 35 per cent of those who participated in the research supported Gachagua’s impeachment based on his perceived discriminatory attitude.
Gachagua’s performance
20 per cent of Kenyans who support his ouster argued that the DP has performed poorly in terms of leadership for the two years he has been in office.
“By far, the most frequent reason for supporting the DP’s impeachment (by those who do so) is his perceived discriminatory attitude and speech in favour of his own (Mt Kenya) community (35%), though poor performance/bad leadership (20%) may also include such a failure together with various others,” the report by TIFA reads in part.
Corruption
13 per cent of those that support DP Gachagua’s ouster have associated him with corruption and abuse of office, while twelve per cent have attributed their support for the impeachment to the DP’s disagreement with his boss, President William Ruto.
Two per cent argue that DP Gachagua has been in disagreement with other United Democratic Alliance (UDA) leaders, while one per cent argue that he supported the Gen Z-led protests.
However, a considerable proportion who favour his impeachment could not offer any reason for doing so (17%).
DP Gachagua is set to appear before the parliament on Tuesday, October 8, to respond to the allegations levelled against him.
The impeachment motion against Gachagua was tabled by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, who accused the DP of gross misconduct, and corruption among other reasons.
