Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has refuted claims that he undermined President William Ruto by opposing the Sh10,000 that were offered as compensation to each family that were affected by eviction along Nairobi River.

Mr Gachagua was accused of undermining the President and Cabinet by allegedly making contradictory public statements on the positions taken by Cabinet regarding the evacuation of the people residing along the river.

In his defense before the floor of the National Assembly, Mr Gachagua said the eviction process ought to have abided by the provisions of the Constitution and international Law.

He told MPs that, during the process, it was important for State officers “to avoid human force contrary to the Constitution and international law while conducting the eviction.

Gachagua noted that his office abided by the Cabinet’s resolutions by engagement with all parties including the Nairobi County government.

“While campaigning with President William Ruto and subsequently when I was sworn in as DP, the President and I promised – as a key pillar of the Kenya Kwanza government – that there will be no forced or unlawful evictions and that all evictions will be human and entail legal compensation,” Gachagua told the House.

“On being informed that the persons residing along Nairobi River would be evicted and paid Sh10,000 only, many Kenyans and I saw inadequate compensation for eviction. I insisted that the government should abide by the Constitution’s dictates and international norms including evictions and maintain the dignity of the citizens of Kenya facing evictions,” added the DP.

He exonerated himself from the impeachment grounds, saying he did not undermine President Ruto.

“The statement does not and cannot be construed to undermine the President by insisting that people should not be evicted inhumanly and without adequate compensation. The Deputy President is being accused of undermining his boss by just doing what his boss said that we should never forcibly evict Kenyans,” the country’s second-in-command noted.

He further refuted claims that he undermined devolution by allegedly convening meetings to fight alcohol and drug abuse.

“I am sorry, Mr Speaker, if the House took it that I had said that the House is a theater of absurdity. I was addressing this specific charge. I am a strong advocate for youth rehabilitation from alcohol and substance abuse which I continue to encourage in order to save our future,” Mr Gachagua said.

“I convened meetings with governors and other key stakeholders on how to deal with this menace that has been a threat to our future generation. Efforts that President Ruto asked me to lead in eradication of illicit brew have been very successful,” he added.

Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse tabled the special impeachment motion on the floor of the National Assembly on October 1, 2024.

The special motion received support of 291 out of 345 MPs who appended their signatures.

On Tuesday, his defense notwithstanding, the 44 MPs who voted NO could not help him against 281 who voted YES in support of impeachment motion.