NAIROBI, Kenya- Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has chosen the path of defiance, making it clear that he will not step down despite mounting pressure for his resignation.
Instead, Gachagua has decided to personally face Members of Parliament in an impeachment session on Tuesday, a move that signals his determination to fight the charges against him, even in the face of hostile political forces.
In a bold decision confirmed by multiple sources, Gachagua’s legal team revealed that the Deputy President will attend the impeachment session set for Tuesday at the National Assembly chambers.
The decision comes as allegations of tribalism, corruption and misuse of office continue to swirl around him.
However, the DP insists that the charges are unfounded, pointing out that the properties listed in the accusations were inherited from his late brother, Nderitu Gachagua, and not acquired through illegal means as his accusers claim.
“The grounds for impeachment are very weak,” said a source close to Gachagua’s defense team.
“The properties in question belonged to his brother, as clearly indicated in the will. There is no evidence of any unlawful acquisition.”
Despite the weight of the accusations, Gachagua remains resolute in his decision not to resign.
In an emotional plea made at a church service at his official residence in Karen on Sunday, the Deputy President asked for forgiveness from President William Ruto, Members of Parliament, and his family.
His appeal, made in front of a congregation, was heartfelt and direct, acknowledging that mistakes may have been made during his 2 years as the second in command.
“I want to say to my brother, President William Ruto, if in our zeal to work I have wronged you, please find it in your heart to forgive me,” Gachagua said.
His apology extended to MPs allied to him, as well as his family, particularly his wife, for any actions that may have upset the President or his colleagues.
However, political analysts and insiders say Gachagua’s public apology might not be enough to stave off the impeachment process, which appears to have the tacit approval of President Ruto himself.
Although the President has remained publicly silent on the issue, there are indications that Gachagua’s fall has been gradual but intentional.
For more than a year, the DP has been the target of criticism from junior officers within the Kenya Kwanza administration, many of whom have attacked him verbally in meetings where the President was present.
The impeachment motion, which has gained significant traction within political circles, was sponsored by Kibwezi MP Mutuse Mwengi, a member of the Maendeleo Chap Chap party, which was founded by Labour Cabinet Secretary Dr. Alfred Mutua.
Mutua, a now vocal critic of Gachagua, has openly pushed for his removal, arguing that the Deputy President has become a liability to the administration.
Gachagua’s political woes have exposed deep rifts within the Kenya Kwanza government.
The Deputy President still enjoy a solid support base in the Mount Kenya region even though most elected leaders are backing his impeachment.
Despite this, a significant portion of the public and grassroots leaders from Mount Kenya have rallied behind him, opposing the impeachment as unjust and politically motivated.
Last week’s public participation hearings on the impeachment motion saw thousands of Kenyans express their dissatisfaction, not only with the process but also with the broader Kenya Kwanza administration.
Many citizens viewed the hearings as a distraction from the pressing issues facing the country, such as corruption, the rising cost of living and widespread unemployment.
Surprisingly, some even called for the removal of both Gachagua and President Ruto, framing the impeachment as a referendum on the entire administration.
Observers noted that the impeachment process has, in some ways, backfired, galvanizing public opposition and raising concerns about the government’s priorities.
“What we witnessed in the public participation was not just about Gachagua. It became a referendum on the government’s failures,” Moses Waihenya, a political analyst told Y News.
While Gachagua’s fate in Parliament remains uncertain, sources close to the Deputy President suggest that he is not overly concerned about the outcome.
His legal team is confident that the impeachment can be overturned if challenged in court.
“The DP believes the impeachment grounds are weak and will not stand up in a court of law,” said a source familiar with his defense strategy.
If Parliament votes to impeach him, Gachagua is prepared to take the battle to the judiciary, with plans to challenge the decision all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary.
The Deputy President’s defiance has raised the stakes in what could become one of the most dramatic political showdowns in recent Kenyan history.
While the impeachment process is likely to proceed, Gachagua’s refusal to back down signals that he is prepared to fight to the very end.
As the Tuesday impeachment session approaches, all eyes will be on Parliament to see how the proceedings unfold.
Whether Gachagua can mount a successful defense or if he will be ousted from his position remains to be seen.
However, one thing is clear: the Deputy President is not going down without a fight.
