Faced with angry constituents after signing the impeachment motion scores of Mt Kenya MPs have trooped back to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s corner and pledged support.
A heavy backlash and threats of violence has met Mt Kenya MPs who signed the motion to send DP Gachagua home tabled in Parliament on Tuesday.
But as soon as the Parliamentary process was over, scores of MPs immediately regretted their action after their constituents became hostile.
The latest to back off and pledge loyalty to the DP were three MPs from Nyeri County who said after going through the motion, they found it had no serious grounds to impeach the DP.
The MPs Geoffrey Wandeto from Tetu, Rahab Mukami from Nyeri, and Njoroge Wainaina from Kieni have stated that they will not continue with efforts to oust DP Gachagua.
“After soul-searching and reading through the motion I realised this is something our deputy president and the President sit down and resolve because 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,” said Rahab Mukami.
“When we ask our people, they are saying they do not see this (impeachment) as a priority, they think we should be focusing on other priorities. As representatives of the people it behoves upon us to listen to our people and do what they have asked us. So on Tuesday, I will be voting NO,” added Geoffrey Wandeto.
The u-turn by the MPs comes one day after their names were mentioned in Parliament, as they were among the MPs who signed and endorsed the motion to eject Gachagua from office.
These legislators, hailing from Gachagua’s stronghold in Nyeri County, instead expressed that what is needed now is a discussion aimed at reconciling the President and his Deputy.
“Our deputy president please, go to the President and ask for forgiveness. And for our President, please sit down with our deputy, speak and reach an agreement,” added MP Mukami
Other MPs from the Deputy President’s stronghold who still support this motion include Eric Wamumbi from Mathira, Wambugu Wainaina from Othaya, and Duncan Mathenge from Nyeri Town.
Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari has also abandoned the impeachment motion insisting he did not sign it.
He said he would not be party to any effort to remove DP Gachagua from office saying Nyeri and Kirinyaga are good neighbours.
Additionally, the Woman Representative for Embu, Pamela Njoki, has also indicated a change of heart. In an official letter, Njoki stated that she signed the motion but has withdrawn her support after discussions with the residents of Embu.
