Barely a week after the abrupt impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, new information has surfaced, shedding light on the primary reason for his ouster.
According to some Mt. Kenya senators, tensions between President William Ruto and his former deputy had grown so intense that their working relationship became unsustainable.
Before the impeachment vote, reports revealed secret meetings discussing the push to remove Gachagua and the strained relationship within the presidency.
Lawmakers from both the National Assembly and Senate allegedly held separate meetings with the president, Gachagua, and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, who, in a twist of fate, is set to replace the ousted deputy president.
Insiders claim Gachagua was given an ultimatum, with some Mt. Kenya leaders urging him to resign after reconciliation efforts failed.
On a recent Inooro TV show, Senators Karungo wa Thang’wa, John Methu, and Tabitha Karanja disclosed that the reconciliation process involved both politicians and senior clergy.
“Anyone who has spoken with Ruto will tell you the president didn’t want to hear anything do with Gachagua. Even the Bishops like the head of ACK church were told there won’t be talks until after impeachment,” Senator John Methu stated.
“Those behind the impeachment are sending us to tell Gachagua to resign for him to have a chance to vie in 2027 and also enjoy the benefits of a former deputy president”, Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa detailed.
Despite holding separate meetings with Gachagua, Kindiki, and Ruto, the leaders were still uncertain about the true cause of the rift between the president and his deputy.
“I sat down with both the president and Rigathi Gachagua separately. Â I listened to them and in my own wisdom I concluded that there political bromance was irretrievable”, Senator Tabitha Karanja revealed.
Supporters of Gachagua have maintained that his impeachment was a politically motivated scheme, carried out unlawfully and with significant malice toward him.
“When we pass a new law, the speaker takes up to a month to have it gazetted. But this impeachment matter was being done in haste”, Methu noted.
“The president is required to nominate a DP within 14 days. Parliament has up to 60 days to consider the nominee. In total, there are 74 days given by the Constitution. Who are you to do all this in 2 days” Â Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa questioned.
Reports suggest that some senators were allegedly paid up to Ksh 10 million to impeach Gachagua. However, a group of lawmakers claimed they exercised sound judgment and refused to be influenced on the issue.
“Many voted to protect their position in Parliament, Â their businesses, and because of money. If Senator Tabitha can be honest, Â she can tell you a lot of money was given to senators to impeach Gachagua”, Methu alleged.
These allegations arise as the former Deputy President is set to present himself to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), following his claims on Sunday that there were plots to eliminate him.
