National Assembly behaves like a rubber stamp; Karua on Gachagua impeachment
NARC Kenya party leader Martha Karua has called out the National Assembly over its decision to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua
NARC Kenya party leader Martha Karua has called out the National Assembly over its decision to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
In a statement on Wednesday, October 9, the NARC leader noted that although the process is constitutional, the high threshold of MPs who voted in favour of the motion was disturbing.
“Although the process is enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya under articles 145 and 150, it was disheartening to see the National Assembly behave like a rubber stamp.
“We knew the National Assembly was largely gone but to see such a high threshold of highly educated and well socialized individuals administer what can only be described as mob justice was disturbing,” the statement read in part.
Karua stated that while Gachagua is no angel, he deserves to be heard and his case determined duly just like any other citizen.
“What we must all be painfully aware of is that participating or acquiescing to the violation of another person’s right, is laying the Foundation of the violation of your own rights.
“The national assembly manipulated a constitutional process with impunity. They have sacrificed the spirit and ideals of constitutionalism on the altar of self-reservation,” the statement further read.
Despite largely criticizing the National Assembly, Karua also commended MPs who chose to prosecute the matter with fairness.
“However we cannot fail to command the few members of the National assembly who approached the debate with sobriety,” the statement added.
The National Assembly voted overwhelmingly to impeach Gachagua on October 8, 2024.
The motion passed with 281 votes in favor and 44 against, marking a historic moment as it’s the first impeachment under the 2010 Constitution.
Gachagua faced allegations of money laundering, gross misconduct, insubordination and promoting ethnically divisive politics among others.
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The Senate will now review the decision; if upheld, Gachagua will be removed from office unless he successfully appeals in court.
Earlier on Wednesday, Senate speaker Amason Kingi directed that Gachagua will be heard through the Senate plenary on Wednesday and Thursday next week.
The speaker asked the senate clerk to send invitations to the deputy president and the National Assembly.
“In line with the schedule of activities for the impeachment hearing in plenary, I hereby give the following directions: The clerk to issue invitations to appear to the deputy president to today. The clerk is to issue invitations to appear at the National Assembly today. The parties are to file their responses with the office of the clerk of the Senate by Monday, October 14, by 5 p.m. The clerk to circulate documents received from the parties, including the plenary hearing program, to all senators upon receipt on October 14. The senate shall then investigate the matter in plenary on Wednesday, October 16, and Thursday, October 17,” Kingi stated.
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