NAIROBI, Kenya- In the wake of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment, tensions have escalated as staff from his office were denied entry into Harambee House in Nairobi.
This standoff follows the recent Senate decision that led to the compulsory leave of 108 officers working under the impeached leader.
On Tuesday, officers from the Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) were stationed outside Harambee House, turning away employees as they reported for work.
The move comes just days after the Senate approved Gachagua’s impeachment, and his staffers were officially put on leave.
Despite the heightened security and public interest, no comments were provided by the officers or employees regarding the situation.
Principal Administrative Secretary Patrick Mwangi issued a directive over the weekend, requiring heads of departments to assign a responsible officer to oversee operations during this transitional period.
The statement emphasized a strict deadline of 12:00 pm on October 19, 2024, for full compliance with the directive.
Mwangi’s instructions followed swiftly after President William Ruto nominated Kithure Kindiki to replace Gachagua as Deputy President.
The impeachment has resulted in a significant shift in Gachagua’s security arrangements.
The once heavily-guarded leader now finds himself without any protection. In a recent statement, Gachagua expressed deep concern for his safety and that of his family.
“All officers close to me were disarmed and warned not to come near me. As of now, the Deputy President has no single security officer around him. He is alone,” Gachagua remarked after being discharged from Karen Hospital on Sunday.
Despite the Senate’s decision, Gachagua maintains his stance as the appointed Deputy President, citing a stay order from the court that temporarily halts the impeachment.
As this saga unfolds, the public waits for the judiciary’s final decision on the matter, with Gachagua’s future in office hanging in the balance.
