I can't be impeached without Ruto's approval, says Gachagua

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua yesterday claimed there was a plot to impeach him but maintained that for such a motion to find its way in Parliament, it must be okayed by the President. 

In an interview with Citizen TV last evening, Gachagua said for the impeachment motion to attain the required threshold, it would require the input of President William Ruto to lobby for it. 

"Serious and contentious issues such as the impeachment motion are approved in our UDA's parliamentary group (PG) in our party structure no one else can establish such a motion, just like the way he was spearheading the impugned Finance Act, for the motion to reach to the floor of the National Assembly, it can only be sanctioned by the President," Gachagua said. 

At the same time, Gachagua expressed concerns for the campaign mood in the country which he associated with a section of leaders who he accused or accepted bribes from an unnamed government leader to divide Mt Kenya region. 

"It is concerning that the country is in a toxic campaign mood, it bothers me that instead of focusing on what we promised our people during the elections we have resulted in planning on how to divide Mt Kenya region people and looking for running mates. But it is upon my boss to call a PG and direct those who insult me to stop, let him provide leadership so that the country can go back to work," Gachagua said.  

He however said he had embarked on a meet the people tour to take the impeachment debate to the people so that his supporters may understand what was going on and what was being planned against him.  

However, Gachagua urged the President to be the gentleman he was during the 2022 general election, given that he promised not to allow his deputy to go through what he went through when he was former President Uhuru Kenyatta's deputy. 

"Ruto made a commitment to the people of Kenya, he made a commitment to myself, my wife, and my children that he could protect his deputy from being undermined, harassed, intimidated, and persecuted, he needs to be a gentleman, even if he may not fulfill all the other promises, he should fulfill the promise as it requires no funding," he said.  

He said what he has undergone through Ruto's administration in two years was way too much compared to what his boss went through in Uhuru's regime.  

"Even if there is a jinx around this position, at least Ruto was allowed to serve for five years, I have only served for two years. I would like my boss to allow me to serve the people of Kenya; keep your promise for the country to win the trust of the people of Kenya," he said.