Members of Parliament have reacted with mixed feelings following the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on October 8, 2024. The session has ignited a fierce debate regarding the Executive’s influence over the legislative process.

Highlights

• Gachagua is on the verge of getting impeached
• Over 200 Members of parliament voted to support his impeachment
• He will be the first deputy president to be impeached after 2010 constitution amendment

Starehe MP Amos Mwago expressed concern, suggesting that Parliament has been compromised by external pressures.

“This Parliament will be remembered as one that has been hijacked by the Executive,” he stated, alleging that financial incentives were used to influence MPs’ votes. “A lot of money has been offered to ensure MPs vote in a particular manner. Every MP is aware of this; money flows according to one’s worth,” he claimed.

Conversely, Baringo North MP Joseph Makilap welcomed the impeachment, viewing it as a cautionary tale for other leaders.

“The impeachment of DP Gachagua serves as a reminder that those in positions of responsibility must respect all Kenyans. This action is directed at one individual, and we appreciate the people of Mt. Kenya for voting for Ruto,” he remarked.

Baringo Woman Representative Florence Jematia shared similar views, emphasizing the importance of accountability. “We are not just rescuing the DP from his own actions but also protecting the community he claims to represent while misusing his power through corruption,” she said.

Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia, who opposed the impeachment, explained that his vote reflected the wishes of his constituents. “I voted against the motion because the people of Mukurweini instructed me not to support it. During public consultations, 2,700 people voiced their opposition to the motion,” he noted.

Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba criticized the impeachment process, questioning the legitimacy of public participation. “I feel like Kenyans have been taken for granted. Why did we invest so much time and resources in public consultations? I expected the Speaker to disclose how many voted ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ during this process,” she stated.

Wamuchomba further likened the impeachment to “mob justice,” arguing, “This feels like mob justice against Gachagua. We circulated documents accusing him of theft and other allegations without giving him a chance to defend himself before seeking public input.”

Voting summary of DP Gachagua‘s impeachment

• Votes in Favor (YES)
  Joseph Samal Lomwa, Timothy Wanyonyi, Jackson Kosgei, Samuel Chepkonga, Benjamin Lagat, Marianne Kitany, Samuel Atandi, John Walter Owino, Irene Njoki, Abdi Shurie, Florence Jematia, Joseph Makilap, Charles Kamuren, Nelson Koech, Innocent Obiri, Nolphason Obadiah, Alfah Miruka, Linet Chepkorir, Richard Cheruiyot, Richard Yegon, Charles Onchoke, Gideon Ochanda, Patrick Osero, Raphael Wanjala, Jack Wamboka, Catherine Wambilianga, Yakub Adow, Kibet Komingoi, Catherine Omanyo, Nicholas Tindi Mwale, Joseph Oyula, Rindikiri Mugambi, Moses Nguchine, Omar Mwinyi Shimbwa, Victor Koech, Paul Byego, Patrick Ntwiga, Farah Maalim, Beatrice Elachi, John Kiarie, Musa Sirma, Adan Keynan, Ngelechei Caroline, Mejjadonk Gathiru, Josses Lelmengit, Omboko Milemba, Johana Ngeno, Robert Pukose, Yakub Farah, Oundo Ojiambo, Said Buya, Kenneth Tungule, Udgoon Siyyad, Dekow Baro, Ali Wario Guyo, Kururia Njoroge, Gabriel Kagombe, Elisha Odhiambo, Robert Gichimu, Charles Gumini, Joyce Bensuda Osogo, Peter Kaluma, Daniel Karitho, Taitumu Julius, John Paul Mwirigi, Abdi Ali Abdi, Bernard Shinali, Mumina Bonaya, Bidu Tubi Mohamed, Bady Bady Twalib, George Koimburi, James Githua, Eve Obara, Titus Lotee, Leah Sankaire, Memusi Elijah, Kakuta Maimai, George Sunkuiya, Elsie Muhanda, Paul Katana, John Makali, Peter Kihungi, Fabian Kyule, Samuel Moroto, Andrew Okuome, Ronald Karauri, Gideon Kimaiyo, Beatrice Kemei, Julius Rutto, Christopher Aseka, John Wanjiku, Anne Muratha, Orero Peter, Jessica Mbalu, Mwengi Mutuse, Kimani Ichung’wah, Sunkuli Julius, Mwanyanje Gertrude, Owen Baya, Ken Chonga, Didmus Barasa, Maurice Kakai, Thuku Kwenya, Joseph Kimutai, Hillary Kiplangat, Shakeel Shabbir, Rozaah Buyu, Nimrod Mbai, Antony Kibagendi, Clive Gisairo, Konoin Brighton, Alfred Mutai, Joseph Tanui, Marwa Kitayama, Robi Mathias, Masito Fatuma, Wanyonyi Ferdinand, Abdirahman Abdi, Mohamed Abdikader, Jane Kagiri, Mwangi Kiunjuri, Sarah Korere, Stephen Wachira, Monica Muthoni, Ruweida Obo, Stanley Muthama, Felix Odiwuor, Joseph Mburu, Mishi Mboko, Innocent Mugabe, John Kiragu Chege, Protus Akuja, Dick Maungu, Nabii Nabwera, Mangale Munga, Titus Khamala, Kareke Mbiuki, Caleb Mutiso, George Aladwa, Malulu Injendi, Laura Mnyazi, Abdullaih Bashir, Umulkheir Kassim, Hussein Weytan Mohamed, Ibrahim Haro, Yussuf Adan Haji, David Kangogo, Naomi Waqo, Geoffrey Odanga, Antony Oluoch, Edwin Mugo, Kahugu Eric, Kassim Tandaza, Nabulindo Peter, Patrick Makau, Geoffrey Kariuki, Nerbart Muriuki, Kailemia Elizabeth, Fatuma Zainab, Kiborek Reuben, Phylis Bartoo, Kuria Kimani, Zamzam Mohamed, Jaldesa Waqo, Feisal Bader, Fred Kapondi, James Oyoo, Naicca Johnson, Betty Njeri Maina, Mohamed Soud, Vincent Musau, Mary Maingi, Charles Nguna, Liza Chelule, Gikaria David, Samuel Arama, Geoffrey Ekesa, Cynthia Muge, Bernard Kitur, Rebecca Tonkei, Lemanken Aramat, Agnes Pareiyo, Ole Ntutu Kitilai, Gabriel Tongoyo, Emmanuel Wangwe, George Gachagua, Martin Peters Owino, George Macharia, Guyo Adhe, Dawood Rahim, Joash Nyamache, Joshua Aduma, Mohamed Ali, Jerusha Momanyi, Gitau Faith, Okelo Jared, Zaheer Jhanda, Daniel Manduku, Tom Mboya Odege, Duncan Mathenge, Muchira Michael, Michael Wambugu, David Pkosing, Antony Kenga, Lilian Gogo, Otiende Amolo, Paul Kibet, Paul Abuor, TJ Kajwang, Kingara Simon, Sloya Clement, Caleb Amisi, Raso Dido, Pauline Lenguris, Jackson Lekumontare, Dominic Letipila, James Nyikal, Fredrick Ikana, Christine Ombaka, Peter Lochakapong, Justice Kemei, John Waluke, Francis Kipyegon, Shadrack Mwiti, Sylvanus Osoro, David Kiplagat, and many others.
• Votes Against (NO):
  Innocent Obiri, Mejjadonk Gathiru, James Gakuya, Julius Mawathe, Pamela Njoki, Oundo Ojiambo, Martha Wangari, Gathoni Wamuchomba, George Koimburi, John Kaguchia, Joyce Kamene, Joseph Kamau, and others.
• Absent:
  Patrick Simiyu, Babu Owino, Mark Mwenje, Joshua Kivinda, Hassan Yussuf, Oscar Sudi, Ndindi Nyoro, Paul Musyimi, Peter Mbogho, Robert Ngui, and others.