UDA Sec Gen Details Way Forward on Gachagua’s Impeachment
In a dramatic escalation of political tensions, Acting United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Hassan Omar confirmed that the impeachment drive against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is gathering significant momentum.
Speaking at a high-profile event attended by a number of legislators on Saturday, Omar announced that the collection of signatures from Members of Parliament (MPs) has already surpassed the required threshold, marking a critical milestone in the attempt to remove Gachagua from office.
“The signature collection drive has hit the 300 mark, well beyond the required 117 votes,” Omar revealed, signaling that the initiative to impeach Gachagua has broad support among lawmakers.
Omar’s criticisms of the deputy president were pointed, accusing Gachagua of sowing division in the country and playing ethnic politics instead of serving as a unifying national leader. He argued that Gachagua’s actions, particularly his recent public disagreements with President William Ruto’s administration, pose a serious risk to national unity.
“What we are seeing him currently doing is arguing for the same old policies of malice, division, hatred, and ethnicity,” Omar stated, drawing a sharp contrast between the ideals of national unity and what he described as Gachagua’s damaging rhetoric.
“I don’t think it is proper to have a deputy president who is a threat to the country’s unity,” Omar added, making it clear that UDA sees Gachagua’s behavior as a liability for the party and the nation.
Omar’s sentiments were echoed by Central Organisation for Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli, who, in a fiery address in Uasin Gishu, called for Gachagua’s arrest. Atwoli accused the deputy president of undermining the government and stoking divisions, particularly through his public disagreements with President Ruto.
“You prayed to God so that He can help you to run the government, and then you start to contradict government policies while sitting in the cabinet and the National Security Council,” Atwoli said, condemning Gachagua’s actions.
“You should be apprehended. There is no country that can tolerate such a person, for the sake of securing the country,” Atwoli added, intensifying calls for Gachagua’s removal.
The chorus of criticism comes just hours after Deputy President Gachagua himself launched a verbal attack on President Ruto, accusing the head of state of inciting MPs to support his impeachment. Speaking at a rally in Mwea, Kirinyaga County, Gachagua lashed out at the legislators plotting his removal, insisting that he would not be cowed by what he described as intimidation tactics.
“If Ruto is tired of Mt. Kenya votes, he should tell us. Let him stop telling Members of Parliament to impeach me. I will not be intimidated. They are calling for my resignation, but I will not allow it. I was given the job by the Kenyan people,” Gachagua declared, refusing to bow to the mounting pressure.
The unfolding political drama places both the presidency and the deputy presidency in an increasingly antagonistic relationship, raising concerns about the stability of the government.
As UDA pushes forward with its impeachment strategy, the coming weeks are likely to see intensified political maneuvering on both sides, with Gachagua fighting to retain his position and fend off the growing calls for his ouster.
In Other News: Atwoli Accuses Gachagua Of Sabotage, Calls For Arrest Over Oath Violation
UDA Sec Gen Details Way Forward on Gachagua’s Impeachment
