NYERI, Kenya – Several Mt Kenya MPs who had initially supported the motion to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua have reversed their stance.
The legislators, including Geoffrey Wandeto (Tetu), Rahab Mukami (Nyeri), and Njoroge Wainaina (Kieni), have publicly announced that they will no longer back the move to oust the Deputy President, urging for reconciliation between him and President William Ruto instead.
Speaking at a press briefing, Nyeri Woman Representative Rahab Mukami revealed that after reflecting on the matter and engaging with her constituents, she no longer sees the impeachment as the right course of action.
“After soul-searching and reading through the motion, I realized this is something the Deputy President and the President should resolve. Kenya is bigger than all of us. I have listened to the ground, and the people of Nyeri have said they do not want the Deputy President removed,” Mukami stated.
Tetu MP Geoffrey Wandeto echoed these sentiments, stating that local priorities differ from the impeachment agenda.
“When we ask our people, they are saying this is not a priority. They think we should focus on other pressing issues. As representatives, we must listen to them, and on Tuesday, I will be voting NO,” Wandeto added.
The about-turn comes just a day after the MPs’ names were mentioned in Parliament as among those who had signed and endorsed the motion to impeach Gachagua.
However, the MPs from Nyeri County—part of Gachagua’s political base—are now calling for dialogue to mend the apparent rift between the country’s top leaders.
“Our Deputy President, please go to the President and ask for forgiveness. And to our President, please sit down with him, talk, and resolve your differences,” Mukami urged during the press briefing.
While the MPs from Nyeri have withdrawn their support, other legislators from the Deputy President’s stronghold, such as Eric Wamumbi (Mathira), Wambugu Wainaina (Othaya), and Duncan Mathenge (Nyeri Town), still back the impeachment motion.
The reversal also extends beyond Nyeri. Embu Woman Representative Pamela Njoki has formally withdrawn her support for the motion, citing feedback from her constituents.
In an official letter, Njoki expressed that she had initially signed the motion but reconsidered after consultations with Embu residents.
The legislators, including Geoffrey Wandeto (Tetu), Rahab Mukami (Nyeri), and Njoroge Wainaina (Kieni), have publicly announced that they will no longer back the move to oust the Deputy President, urging for reconciliation between him and President William Ruto instead.
Speaking at a press briefing, Nyeri Woman Representative Rahab Mukami revealed that after reflecting on the matter and engaging with her constituents, she no longer sees the impeachment as the right course of action.
“After soul-searching and reading through the motion, I realized this is something the Deputy President and the President should resolve. Kenya is bigger than all of us. I have listened to the ground, and the people of Nyeri have said they do not want the Deputy President removed,” Mukami stated.
Tetu MP Geoffrey Wandeto echoed these sentiments, stating that local priorities differ from the impeachment agenda.
“When we ask our people, they are saying this is not a priority. They think we should focus on other pressing issues. As representatives, we must listen to them, and on Tuesday, I will be voting NO,” Wandeto added.
The about-turn comes just a day after the MPs’ names were mentioned in Parliament as among those who had signed and endorsed the motion to impeach Gachagua.
However, the MPs from Nyeri County—part of Gachagua’s political base—are now calling for dialogue to mend the apparent rift between the country’s top leaders.
“Our Deputy President, please go to the President and ask for forgiveness. And to our President, please sit down with him, talk, and resolve your differences,” Mukami urged during the press briefing.
While the MPs from Nyeri have withdrawn their support, other legislators from the Deputy President’s stronghold, such as Eric Wamumbi (Mathira), Wambugu Wainaina (Othaya), and Duncan Mathenge (Nyeri Town), still back the impeachment motion.
The reversal also extends beyond Nyeri. Embu Woman Representative Pamela Njoki has formally withdrawn her support for the motion, citing feedback from her constituents.
In an official letter, Njoki expressed that she had initially signed the motion but reconsidered after consultations with Embu residents.
