NAIROBI, Kenya- National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed has reignited controversy over the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, alleging that money exchanged hands during the process and naming Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot in his remarks.
Speaking during a political rally, Junet claimed that funds were distributed during the parliamentary process that removed Gachagua from office in 2024, alleging that Cheruiyot was involved in coordinating the payments.
“Kuna kitu ilitembea huko Bunge. Na accounting officer alikuwa mtu anaitwa Aaron Cheruiyot,” Junet said, loosely translated as: “Something moved in Parliament, and the accounting officer was a person called Aaron Cheruiyot.”
The Suna East MP further alleged that some legislators who received the money failed to use it to strengthen their political support networks.
“Wengine walikamata hizo vitu na hawakujenga boma. Kama umepata kitu kwa impeachment ya Gachagua haitoshi. Mambo ya kuharibu pesa yako…leta pesa huku chini,” he said.
The remarks were made in reference to the impeachment of Gachagua, who was removed from office in October 2024 after the National Assembly approved an impeachment motion and the Senate upheld the charges against him.
Gachagua became the first sitting Deputy President in Kenya to be removed through an impeachment process.
The former Deputy President and his allies have consistently described the proceedings as politically motivated, while supporters of the impeachment maintained that Parliament acted within its constitutional mandate.
Senator Cheruiyot was the Senate Majority Leader during the impeachment proceedings. He still serves in the position.
The revelations add a new layer to the political debate surrounding Gachagua’s removal as he continues to position himself as a major opposition figure ahead of the 2027 General Election through the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP).
His comments come amid heightened political realignments, with leaders across different factions revisiting the events that shaped President William Ruto’s administration and the fallout between Ruto and his former deputy.