Mt Kenya elders and clergy defend Gachagua, call for peace

A section of the clergy and elders from Mt Kenya region have weighed in on the ongoing impeachment process of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Kenya National Congress of Pentecostal Churches (KNCPC) Nyeri branch director Archbishop Njoroge Munyori appealed to political leaders to cease politicising the matter, but instead focus on serving Kenyans.

Archbishop Njoroge, who is the head of Four Square Gospel Churches of Kenya (FSGCK), said President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua were jointly elected by Kenyans during the August 9, 2022 General Election.

“We elected both President Ruto and his Deputy Gachagua in the last election. But I urge politicians to cease inciting Kenyans along political lines. These political utterances will only divide Kenyans,” Archbishop Njoroge told the media in Nyeri town on Tuesday.

“Let us pray as a nation for the government and I believe God will change the situation in the country. I urge members of the public to stay calm and maintain peace, regardless of the outcome of Gachagua’s impeachment,” he added.

Separately, a section of Kenya Council of Elders (KCE) leaders in Mt Kenya region termed the ongoing impeachment process in Parliament as ‘unnecessary’.

KCE member Paul Kariuki implored President William Ruto to prevail upon Members of Parliament to drop the DP’s impeachment.

“We should be seeing Ruto and Gachagua moving the country, preaching peace and implementing development projects. As elders, we are against the removal of the DP from office because he has not done anything wrong,” Kariuki said.

“We are humbly telling our President to call the MPs and convince them to drop the impeachment against his deputy. Outrightly, what the MPs are doing is just a witch-hunt against Gachagua and there must be a driving force behind his impeachment,” he added.

Mau Mau War Veterans Association member Pius Njogu said the impeachment motion is untimely and that the focus should be channeled towards development.

“The current leadership tussles are unnecessary for our country because in 2022, we came out in large numbers to elect Ruto and Gachagua in office. But we are now in disbelief when we see the current tug of war within the presidency and the war spilling over to Parliament,” Mr Njogu said.

Presiding Bishop Robert Mbukua of Mission to Heaven Ministry called on the duo (President Ruto and DP Gachagua) to iron out their political differences for the best interests of Kenyans.

“There can be a solution for the wrangles witnessed between the President and his deputy. The two should sit down and iron out their issues. We need to see political reconciliation between them,” Mr Mbukua said.

“The people of Kenya entered into a five-year contract with Ruto and Gachagua. The citizens are keen on evaluating their development track-record after five years and they have high hopes for them. This is not the time for impeachments but service delivery,” he added.