A faction of MPs is reportedly strategizing on the potential impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, following a series of closed-door meetings to consolidate support for his removal.
Sources indicate that these lawmakers, primarily from UDA and ODM have been holding discussions on how to proceed with the plan, but the group remains deeply divided over the move.
The latest gathering is said to have taken place on Tuesday at Weston Hotel, a venue closely associated with President William Ruto’s family, with the MPs convening again last night to solidify their strategy.
According to an MP from North Rift, the meeting was intended to achieve consensus among themselves before reaching out to like-minded legislators from other regions.
However, the push to impeach Gachagua has exposed a rift within the group. While some MPs are adamant about the need to remove the Deputy President, citing his public disagreements with President Ruto and alleged disrespect, others fear that such a move could backfire and jeopardize Ruto’s reelection bid in 2027.
Those opposed to the impeachment warn that it could stir up sympathy for Gachagua, particularly in the vote-rich Mt. Kenya region.
“There are those who argue that impeaching him now could alienate Mt. Kenya voters and hurt the president’s chances in 2027. Gachagua still enjoys significant support there, and this could be seen as an attack on their political interests,” said the MP, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Among those opposed to the ouster are lawmakers from Rifat Valley including Johanna Ng’eno (Emurua Dikirr), Musa Sirma (Eldama Ravine), and Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago, who believe that turning on Gachagua could be politically risky.
They argue that Ruto’s victory in the 2022 election was in large part due to Gachagua’s influence in Mt. Kenya.
On the other side, MPs such as Oscar Sudi (Kapseret) and Nandi Senator Samson Cherarkey are pushing for immediate action, claiming Gachagua’s public criticism of the president has irreparably damaged their working relationship.
Sudi, in particular, is reported to have argued that Gachagua should face consequences for his disloyalty.
In an attempt to resolve the internal divide, the MPs agreed to meet again to forge a united position. Should they reach consensus, the next step would involve drafting compelling grounds for the impeachment motion, which would require the backing of at least one-third of the National Assembly’s members to be tabled. For the motion to succeed, a two-thirds majority would be needed.
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Over the weekend, Gachagua’s allies voiced concerns that the impeachment plot could be spearheaded by opposition MPs, with reports suggesting that Homabay Town MP Opondo Kaluma and Suna East MP Junet Mohammed were involved in drafting the motion.
Former UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala cautioned that ousting Gachagua could harm Ruto’s own political prospects. Malala, while urging Ruto to intervene, reminded him of the sacrifices Gachagua had made during the last election, warning that his removal could destabilize the government.
Speaking at a church event in Thika, several Gachagua allies, including Senators Karungo Thang’wa (Kiambu) and Joe Nyutu (Murang’a), along with MPs Gathoni Wamuchomba (Githunguri) and George Koimburi (Juja), rallied behind the Deputy President, cautioning against any attempts to undermine him. They warned that removing Gachagua could have far-reaching consequences for the country’s political stability.
The next steps in the impeachment bid remain unclear as MPs continue to weigh the potential fallout from such a bold move.
By Nairobi