Kalonzo, Wamalwa defend DP Gachagua against looming impeachment

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and his DAP-Kenya counterpart Eugene Wamalwa have come to the defence of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who is currently facing the onslaught of a looming impeachment by MPs.

Mr Kalonzo and Mr Wamalwa on Thursday said they will defend Mr Gachagua, in honour of late President Mwai Kibaki whom they served under his administration.

"I want to tell our Deputy President that God is still on the throne and we still have a nation to mould together. There is political tension in this country and we need to pray," Mr Kalonzo said.

"As former Vice President of Kibaki, I will stand with the people of Nyeri," he added.

The leaders were accompanying DP Gachagua who was leading the country in attending the memorial service for the 21 pupils who perished during the fire incident that occurred at Endarasha Hillside Academy.

Mr Gachagua was accompanied by top dignitaries at the interdenominational prayers held at Mweiga Stadium in Kieni Constituency, Nyeri County.

Mr Wamalwa said: “As we are mourning victims of Endarasha fire tragedy, I have heard that there are plans to set this Mountain on fire. But this mountain has friends too.”

"Kalonzo and I were allies of Kibaki. If that day comes, we will stand with you and you will never walk alone," the former Defence CS added.

On his part, Mr Gachagua termed the people of Mt Kenya region as 'peaceful'.

"To our former VP, the people of Mt Kenya are good people. They are very forgiving but do not forget. I appeal to everybody to treat the people of the mountain with kindness," Mr Gachagua said.

"As a people, we were there before, we are here today and we will be there tomorrow," he added.

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, a close ally to the DP, tactfully said that there would be a consequences of the actions that would be taken by the MPs over the alleged impeachment.

"For every action, there will be a reaction. I don't have anymore to say. That's the point," Mr Kahiga noted.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Mingos reassured commitment by the government that such disasters will be curbed in future.

"As a ministry, this has to be the turning point. Our schools should be a save haven for our learners to excell in education. We are keen to establish what caused the fire. We will hold to account all persons capable," Mr Mingos said.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta, in his condolence message read by Mr Wamalwa, termed the death of the pupils as devastating and painful.

"The loss of young minds full of potential of a better future is painful and devastating. My heart goes out to the affected families. Wish quick recovery for all injured pupils to recover physically and emotionally," Mr Uhuru said.

Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu and EALA MP Kanini Kega were also present.

The event was also attended Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Mingos, Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, Nyeri Deputy Governor David Kinaniri, Senators Wahome Wamatinga (Nyeri) and Enock Wambua (Kitui), host MP Njoroge Wainaina (Kieni), Rahab Mukami (Nyeri Woman Rep), Esther Pasaris (Nairobi Woman Rep), Lydia Haika (Taita Taveta Woman Rep) and Benjamin Gathiru Mejjadonk (Embakasi Central).

The service was presided over by PCEA moderator Reverend Thegu Mutahi.