The National Assembly has announced the suspension of its session on Thursday, October 3, 2024, to make essential administrative arrangements for thorough public participation in the impeachment proceedings against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
This decision, led by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, comes ahead of the debate on the Special Motion for the Deputy President’s removal, scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, and will continue until the motion is fully considered later that day.
Ichung’wah highlighted the significance of extensive public involvement, urging Members of Parliament (MPs) to facilitate grassroots participation.
“We want to conduct detailed public participation from polling stations, and I encourage MPs to assist in this process,” he stated.
Under Standing Order 30(3), the assembly has decided to extend its Tuesday session until the impeachment motion is entirely debated.
The debate will allow the motion’s sponsor 60 minutes to present their case, followed by a 30-minute rebuttal.
Key leaders, including the Majority and Minority Leaders and the Seconder, will each have 10 minutes to speak, while other members will have five minutes to express their views.
A total of 291 out of 345 members of the National Assembly signed in support of the impeachment motion against Deputy President Gachagua, revealing vulnerabilities in his leadership.
Notably, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro abstained from the process, despite being a close ally of President William Ruto.
Amid speculation about the necessary support for the impeachment motion, the assembly exceeded expectations, gathering a substantial majority.
Only about 20% of the members supported Gachagua, while 174 MPs surpassed the 117-member threshold required to table the historic motion.
The atmosphere in the assembly was charged, with some members enthusiastically cheering and shouting “patriot” as names of those who signed the motion were read by the mover, Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse.
Among those who supported the motion was Jubilee nominated MP Sabina Chege, who had previously defended the Deputy President. Supporters of the motion also called for enhanced security for President William Ruto and themselves.
