Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu has expressed the emotional toll of participating in the impeachment motion against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, a move that she described as profoundly difficult, particularly for members of the Kenya Kwanza coalition who had fought to establish the current government.
During her remarks on the Senate floor, Nyamu highlighted the personal connections she has with Gachagua.
“He has been our leader, and we have been in the trenches with him, fighting for this government. So, it is with a heavy heart that we find ourselves in this situation,” she said.
Nyamu recalled their shared moments, including lighthearted interactions captured in photographs of them dancing together.
However, Nyamu’s sentiments were complicated by her concerns regarding Gachagua’s conduct.
Having grown up in Nairobi, where issues of ethnicity and tribalism often take a backseat to development, she was troubled by Gachagua’s choice to address Nairobi residents in local dialects, a move she perceived as exclusionary.
Nyamu also pointed fingers at President William Ruto for choosing Gachagua as his running mate, asserting that the president shares some responsibility for the current political crisis.
“We want to hold the President somewhat accountable since we don’t know what he considered when selecting his running mate,” she stated.
“I encourage future presidential candidates to emphasize the need for political maturity in their running mates.”
As the Senate convened on October 17, 2024, to address the impeachment motion, Gachagua was unable to attend defend himself at the Senate due to hospitalization.
After a thorough examination of evidence and hours of cross-examination, the Senate voted to impeach him, ultimately supporting 5 out of the 11 grounds for his removal.
The vote showcased a significant division among senators, with 54 supporting the first charge of gross violation of constitutional articles, while only 13 opposed it.
Other charges addressed issues such as undermining the judiciary and accusations of gross misconduct.
The Senate only needed to confirm one charge against Gachagua for him to be impeached.
In a decisive conclusion, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi announced, “Pursuant to Articles 145, 7, and 151 (b) and 2 of the Constitution, and Standing Orders 78 (8) of the Senate, the Senate has removed from office by impeachment Rigathi Gachagua, the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya. Accordingly, Rigathi Gachagua ceases to hold office.”
The unprecedented impeachment has left a deep impact on Kenya’s political landscape, as leaders like Nyamu grapple with the ramifications of their decisions and the future of the ruling coalition.
Related: 10 Lavish Benefits Gachagua Will No Longer Enjoy After His Impeachment As Deputy President
