Editor's Review

If parliament decides to pursue impeachment, it should be of both the President and the Deputy President - KANU

The Kenya African National Union (KANU) has declared its position on the ongoing talks regarding Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's impeachment. 

In a statement by KANU Director of Communications Manasse Nyainda on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, the party stated that the country has more issues to deal with, suggesting that calls for Gachagua's impeachment are unnecessary.

"While we respect the role of impeachment as a crucial tool for parliamentary oversight, our nation is currently facing pressing issues that demand urgent legislative attention and vigilance. 

"We cannot be preoccupied with an impeachment as the country stares at significant failures in public policy decisions, including the potential takeover of key strategic national assets, such as JKIA, by the now infamous Adani Group, failed funding model for tertiary education, and a broken public healthcare system," the party said.

KANU noted that should the Parliament impeach the DP, the President should also be sent away as they were elected together.

"If parliament decides to pursue impeachment, it should be of both the President and the Deputy President, having been elected as a package, for the executive’s continued malfeasance," it said.

File image of Rigathi Gachagua during the ASK Nairobi International Trade Fair, 2024

Recently, Gachagua hit out at individuals whom he said were threatening to plan his removal from office.

Addressing traders at Wakulima Market in Nairobi on Friday, September 20, the deputy president affirmed that he would not be intimidated by threats of impeachment.

Gachagua affirmed that he was elected by Kenyans and only they have the power to remove him from office when the time comes.

"They are threatening me that they will assemble MPs to impeach me. They are assembling MPs and bribing them so that they can sell me fear. I was voted in by Kenyans and not MPs. Only Kenyans can remove me from my seat when the time comes.

"Those people who are planning this, please don't test us. And let me tell those who are insulting me that they are not insulting me but the people that voted for me," Gachagua said.