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NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

Impeaching Gachagua is not among Kenyans' priorities at the moment

Editorial

By Editorial | Aug 01, 2024

**Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.** [DPCS]

The intended impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua points to a ruling coalition on the verge of implosion. Internal party wrangles in the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) are gaining prominence as factions, one coalescing around Gachagua and another opposed to him, emerge.

This comes at a time that UDA, the principal party in the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition, is also beset by a tug-of-war over the position of Secretary General, currently being held by Cleophas Malala. Lawyer Joe Khalende staged an internal coup in UDA to supplant Malala, an act that led to a physical confrontation resulting in Khalende sustaining a head injury.

Those pushing for Gachagua’s impeachment allege insubordination, undermining the President and fuelling revolt as their reasons for wanting him out. Some of Gachagua’s staff have reportedly been interrogated by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations over their alleged links to the Gen Z protests. But for now, those are mere allegations.

The allegations against Gachagua are not backed by irrefutable evidence to sustain the charge. While we do not hold brief for Gachagua, the Constitution pronounces itself clearly on the grounds for removing a deputy president from office.

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These include gross violation of provisions of the Constitution, committing a crime under national or international laws and gross misconduct. There is no proof yet that Gachagua has breached any of these conditions. His impeachment bid is therefore likely to come a cropper just like most attempts to dislodge governors due to insufficient evidence.

Kenya Kwanza is grappling with a lot of issues that require attention, but the impeachment of Gachagua is not among them. The Gen Z protests still loom large and there is a need for the government to look critically at the issues they have presented.

It is not lost on us that the country does not have a Cabinet after President Ruto dismissed his first one following Gen Z pressure, which had the backing of a populace wearied by corruption, joblessness, and high cost of living. These pertinent issues demand immediate action.

The genesis of Gachagua’s tribulations can be traced to supremacy wars in the Mt Kenya region that pitted Gachagua against young Turks in the region who seemingly have the President’s ear.

The country would do well without a fallout between Ruto and Gachagua. Not once, not twice, but several times, has Gachagua pledged allegiance to Ruto, all along promising to help him govern Kenya effectively. To impeach him, there is need for tangible evidence to prove that he doesn't mean what he says.

Kenyans do not want a repeat of the Jubilee party fallout in 2018 that produced the Kieleweke and Tangatanga factions that polarised the country. Ruto holds the key to ending these unnecessary wrangles in Kenya Kwanza.

His silence on the matter only emboldens those who have an axe to grind with the DP. Calls for the DP's impeachment on unconfirmed grounds amidst Gen Zs' 'Ruto must go' calls and bloody fight for UDA slots don't augur well for the ruling coalition and Kenya. Dr Ruto should now put his house in order.