Kalonzo Slams Gachagua’s Impeachment as a Political Diversion.

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has once again weighed in on the ongoing debate surrounding the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Speaking during a live interview on a local TV station, the Azimio la Umoja leader stated that his coalition believes the impeachment process is a distraction from more pressing issues.

“Azimio issued a statement yesterday, making it clear that we believe the entire process of impeaching the Deputy President is a diversionary tactic,” Kalonzo said.

Musyoka went on to question whether the National Assembly was capable of handling such a historic impeachment process, given that Gen Z protesters had metaphorically ‘impeached’ it when they stormed Parliament during anti-government demonstrations on June 25, 2024. He invoked Article 1 of the 2010 Constitution, which grants ultimate power to the people, who can exercise it either directly or through their elected representatives.

“The country will remember what happened on June 25, 2024, when Parliament was literally impeached by the people. Now, this same Parliament is handling such a crucial matter. As a Senior Counsel, I ask myself whether a Parliament that was impeached by the people under Article 1, where supreme power belongs to the people, can legitimately carry out this process,” Kalonzo remarked.

On the legal front, Gachagua is set to face the Senate after the High Court declined his request for conservatory orders to halt the impeachment proceedings. Justice Chacha Mwita, in a ruling on Tuesday, October 15, noted that while Gachagua’s legal team raised concerns, the request to stop the Senate hearings could not be granted.

“In considering the application and arguments from both sides, the prayer for a conservatory order is declined,” ruled Justice Mwita.

Gachagua had previously filed 26 court cases challenging the legality of the impeachment process. His ouster was endorsed by 282 members of the National Assembly, and the case has since been referred to the Senate.

The impeachment motion against Gachagua includes 11 charges, such as gross misconduct, violation of the Constitution, and the suspicious accumulation of wealth. Despite the allegations, the Deputy President has consistently maintained his innocence, asserting that the charges are politically motivated.

Article By Suzy Nyongesa.