Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has clarified his absence from Parliament on Tuesday during the impeachment discussions and vote concerning Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, stating that he was attending to more urgent matters.
In a post on X, Owino expressed that he could not devote an entire day to debating the DP’s impeachment when he needed to focus on pressing issues affecting his constituents.
He emphasized that he would participate in parliamentary sessions addressing national matters, such as the Adani project, the new university funding model, the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), high taxation, and rising unemployment.
“How can I waste my whole day discussing Rigathi when there are serious issues like Adani, the new university funding model, SHIF, the high cost of living, high taxation, and unemployment?” he remarked.
“You will see me in Parliament when these issues are raised, but they haven’t brought them up.
I was fully engaged with other urgent matters impacting my constituents.
The speed with which Rigathi was impeached should match the urgency required to address Kenyans’ challenges.”
Owino, along with Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, was notably absent during the impeachment vote, prompting critics to question their whereabouts.
Both MPs also did not sign the petition needed to initiate the motion and chose to observe the proceedings from afar.
In a historic vote, 281 MPs supported the impeachment motion filed by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, while 44 opposed it, exceeding the required threshold of 233 votes.
MP Mutuse cited 11 grounds for the impeachment, arguing that Gachagua was unfit for office due to gross misconduct, corruption, undermining the presidency, bullying, and gross violations of the Constitution.
During the parliamentary session, Gachagua was given two hours to respond to the motion; however, his defense failed to sway the MPs, resulting in his impeachment.
Following this decision, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula must notify Senate Speaker Amason Kingi within seven days.
Kingi will then convene the Senate to hear the charges against Gachagua.
The Senate may address the matter in a plenary session or appoint a special committee of 11 senators to investigate.
The committee will file a report within ten days, and Gachagua will have the right to appear and be represented during the investigation.
The Senators will then vote on whether to uphold the impeachment, potentially leading to Gachagua’s removal from office if they support the National Assembly’s decision.
Senate Scheduled To Review Impeachment Charges Against Deputy President Gachagua Today
