Ground rough even for Nyeri MPs who opposed Gachagua ouster

The ouster of Mr Rigathi Gachagua from the position of Deputy President has sparked backlash among MPs in his home county, Nyeri, with a section of them who rejected the bid distancing themselves from what they term as ‘blanket condemnation’.

Prior to the voting of Gachagua’s impeachment motion at the National Assembly, Nyeri Woman Representative Rahab Mukami, MPs John Kaguchia (Mukurwe-ini) and Geoffrey Wandeto (Tetu) had announced to residents that they would oppose the motion.

On the other hand, those who backed the motion included MPs Eric Wamumbi (Mathira), Njoroge Wainaina (Kieni), Maina Mathenge (Nyeri Town) and Wambugu Wainaina (Othaya). Senator Wahome Wamatinga endorsed it at the Senate.

Mr Gachagua’s impeachment has elicited mixed reactions among residents, with the majority of them claiming that their MPs contributed to his ouster.

The growing perception has reportedly fueled tension, with the legislators avoiding church appearances due to fear of being heckled.

According to Ms Mukami, the residents are being misled to perceive that all the elected local leaders passed the motion.

The woman representative now says she is focused on serving Nyeri County residents by effectively utilizing the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF).

“It is very unfair of our people to judge all of us without knowing that some of us rejected the impeachment motion against Mr Gachagua,” Ms Mukami told AVDelta News on Wednesday.

“I am now focusing on several projects meant to support my people with the funds we receive from the National Government through NGAAF,” she added.

On Monday, Mr Mathenge received a cold reception in Nyeri town where he was addressing matatu operators and traders.

The Nyeri Town MP, who is a key ally to President Ruto, made his address amid persistent heckling from the crowd.

A section of irate residents from Mathira constituency, where Mr Gachagua comes from, have already initiated the process of collecting signatures to oust their MP – Mr Wamumbi.

During the impeachment process in Parliament, MP Wandeto’s efforts to have his signature withdrawn on the motion hit a snag.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula acknowledged that Mr Wandeto had written to him, requesting to backtrack his earlier support for the motion.

While opening the debate on the impeachment on the floor of the House, he said that the National Assembly’s Standing Orders do not allow an MP to withdraw a signature appended on a special motion.

“Members, before I open the debate, I received a letter from Hon Wandeto purporting to withdraw his signature. I want to invite the Hon Member to read the Standing Orders that are very clear,” Mr Wetang'ula said.

“Once you append a signature to a special motion you have crossed the Rubicon, and you cannot withdraw that signature,” he added.