‘Not Interested in Money’: Gachagua Denies Demanding Ksh.8B ‘Exit Package’

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has firmly denied allegations that he demanded a Ksh.8 billion payout to vacate his position. Reports had suggested that Gachagua had banged the table during a meeting with President William Ruto after being denied the hefty ‘exit package.’

These claims have surfaced ahead of an impeachment motion set to be tabled on Tuesday, in which Gachagua is accused of seeking compensation for every vote Ruto garnered in Mount Kenya during their 2022 presidential campaign.

In an interview on Sunday with local radio stations from the Mt. Kenya East region, Gachagua dismissed the rumors as baseless, asserting that he has no interest in financial gain and is committed to serving Kenyans.

“I have no interest in any benefits or any money,” Gachagua stated. “If it’s money I wanted, I would have been bought out by political opponents to part ways with President Ruto. But I am not greedy. My children are grown up, my wife is a pastor, and I do not put money first. Kenyans are my priority.”

As Gachagua continues to deny these allegations, the impeachment motion against him has gained significant traction. Earlier in the day, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah confirmed that the motion will be tabled on Tuesday.

“As MP for Kikuyu, I have appended my signature to remove Gachagua from office. We must stop the sabotage of government from within,” Ichung’wah announced during a church service in Kikuyu.

The motion accuses Gachagua of violating several key sections of the Kenyan Constitution, including Article 10 on National Values and Principles of Governance. His public utterances, described as inciteful and reckless, are said to promote ethnic division and hatred.

In addition, Gachagua faces allegations of violating multiple other constitutional articles related to his role as Deputy President, as well as accusations of corruptly acquiring assets using taxpayers’ money.

Other charges include undermining the National Cohesion and Integration Act, violating anti-corruption and money laundering laws, and breaching the Leadership and Integrity Act, among others.

To pass in the National Assembly, the motion will require the support of 233 MPs. As of Sunday evening, 302 MPs had reportedly appended their signatures, indicating significant backing for the impeachment.

If the motion passes, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula will communicate the resolution to Senate Speaker Amason Kingi within two days. The Senate will then deliberate within seven days, and if 45 out of 67 senators endorse the grounds, Gachagua will be removed from office as Kenya’s Deputy President.

The days ahead are critical as Gachagua faces increasing pressure, with the impeachment process quickly gaining momentum.

Article By Suzy Nyongesa.