Residents and political leaders in Tharaka Nithi County have declared their support for Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s ouster through impeachment.
In a public participation process convened at Kathwana County Hall, members of the public and elected leaders presented their views on the special motion for removal from office by impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, noting that his time in the Kenya Kenya administration was up.
According to the County Assembly Majority Leader Luke Marengo, DP Gachagua has failed to represent the interests on the country and those that elected him to power, where he confirmed that the MCAs had unanimously agreed to support the impeachment motion.
“We have agreed to support and give power to our members of parliament for the ouster motion. We can not forget that the President reinstated our son Kithure Kindiki as Cabinet Secretary and for that, we stand with him”, he said.
Mbiti Ruguongo, the Tharaka Njuri Ncheke Chairperson in his remarks said DP Gachagua had failed as a national leader to unite and represent the interests of all Kenyans, adding that Mt Kenya East had been long neglected by those representing the region.
“Mt Kenya East counties were part of the MauMau freedom fighters yet we have been neglected by the other parts of the region including leaders who we believed had our interests at heart. We have also been sidelined on key projects such as MauMau roads and for that reason we support Gachagua’s impeachment since he has failed to safeguard our interests”, he said.
According to Gilbert Kibunjia, a resident, the Deputy President has showcased bias with his focus only on his Mt Kenya West background. In addition, Kibunjia noted that the One Man One Shilling revenue sharing formula supported by Gachagua was meant to cause divisions thus supporting his ouster.
“Gachagua thinks that he is the only leader in Mt Kenya and wants to impose himself as regional Kingpin. His support for the One Man One Shilling revenue sharing formula is out to finish us since he already knows that his backyard has the numbers. He has failed to focus on other regions and protect our interests”, John Mwindu Karangu, a resident said.
Ryan Munyoki while supporting the impeachment motion highlighted that Kenya needs good leadership and that the rocky relationship between President Ruto and his deputy was a hindrance to development.
He noted that Gachagua had lost respect to his boss and was selfish to only concentrate on the interests of his home region.
“The Deputy President is an incitor. He has betrayed the very government he is part of through his utterances and behaviour. His statements do not advocate for unity and we are set to miss out on a lot if the President and his deputy don’t speak in one language”, he said.
The process was praised as smooth, simple and clear by participants, who turned up in high numbers to give their opinion.
Focus now shifts to the National Assembly which has extended the public participation by one day. The collection of public views on the Motion will continue until Saturday, October 5, 2024 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
