The motion, sponsored by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, was endorsed by 291 signatures from members of Parliament.
The proponent of the motion has levelled 10 charges against Gachagua, who has been under heavy criticism from President Ruto's allies in recent weeks for allegedly undermining and causing divisions within the ruling administration.
The first charge against Gachagua is making statements that divide Kenyans along ethnic lines. Mutuse cites several instances where he likened the government to a company in which certain regions hold more shares than others.
"The utterances are highly inflammatory and inciteful, significantly undermining national unity and the peaceful co-existence of Kenya's diverse communities," the motion reads in part.
In the second charge, Gachagua is accused of undermining President Ruto and the Cabinet by making remarks that contradict Cabinet resolutions in which he participated. This includes opposing the Nairobi River Riparian Evacuation orders, which the Cabinet had approved.
The deputy president is also accused of undermining the leadership of the Nairobi County government by opposing the relocation of traders from one of the city's markets.
Other charges include gross misconduct, bullying, and intimidating state officers. In one incident, Gachagua allegedly intimidated a contractor to divert materials meant for the construction of a public road to tarmac a private road leading to his beach resort in Kenya's coastal region.
The Speaker of the National Assembly is expected to give direction on how the impeachment motion will be processed before it is passed to the Senate for hearing and determination.
The motion must garner the support of 233 MPs, representing two-thirds of the total 349 MPs, before being transmitted to the Senate for consideration.
Gachagua, who brought in significant votes for Ruto from Kenya's populous Mt Kenya region in the August 2022 election, insists that he is innocent.
He has been touring the region, cautioning President Ruto against allowing the impeachment plot, saying that doing so would betray the electorate.
"Let us not reintroduce the politics of betrayal," Gachagua stated recently. "Ruto is a beneficiary of Mt. Kenya's disdain for betrayal. Our people hate it and are unforgiving."
President Ruto is yet to publicly comment on the matter, though his silence is being interpreted as an endorsement of the motion.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/kenya-impeachment-motion-tabled-against-deputy-president-gachagua
