Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana has filed a censure motion against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over what he termed displeasure and disappointment in his conduct.
In a notice dated September 23, Mungatana claimed that Gachagua has on several occasions made utterances that have marginalised a section of Kenyans and created tension among different ethnic communities.
In the motion, the senator noted that according to the constitution, the deputy president was a state officer whose conduct should abide by leadership and integrity codes for state officers.
"Article 260 of the constitution categorizes the deputy president as a state officer whose conduct and behaviours shall abide by the provisions of Article 75 of the Constitution of Kenya and the general leadership and integrity code for state officers contained in the Leadership and Integrity Act," the motion reads partly.
Mungatana further claimed in the motion that utterances by Gachagua are against national values and principals of integrity and demean the office of the deputy president.
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"Now therefore the Senate, pursuant to Standing Order 101(1), expresses its displeasure and disappointment with the conduct of Rigathi Gachagua as the deputy president and censures him," the motion stated.
Speaking to the press at Parliament buildings after filing the motion, the lawmaker claimed that the DP's conduct was unbecoming.
“I have today, September 23, 2024, filed a motion of censure against the holder of the office of the Deputy President because of conduct unbecoming of that office,” Mungatana remarked.
The motion is now set to be tabled in the Senate, if approved, before the senators debate it.
This follows growing speculation about a planned impeachment against the deputy president.
Speaking in an interview on Friday, September 20, Gachagua claimed that it was not in his place to block such plans, adding that any impeachment motion against the DP cannot reach parliament without the president's approval.
"The truth of the matter is that the way we work as UDA, any motion of impeachment against the deputy president would never find its way to the House unless the president approves. Any contentious issue that goes to the National Assembly, the president will call a PG meeting and direct the MPs to prosecute it," Gachagua stated.
