Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has opened up about the reason behind his unprecedented impeachment that saw Kithure Kindiki replace him.
Speaking on Sunday, January 5, at the Tetu Catholic Church, Gachagua revealed that his nature of speaking the truth and confronting the president against lying to Kenyans cost him his job.
“In the first year, I thought we were speaking from the same page until I realised it was all lies. We come to Ruring’u and promise we will complete the stadium, it is now two years, and nothing has been done. There are no roads, no water, no medicine in the hospitals, and our job is lying to Kenyans daily,” Gachagua opened up.
According to Gachagua, he warned the president against the habit of promising and not fulfilling the promise, and this was the last nail in the coffin that sealed his impeachment plan.
“I warned my boss that we should stop lying to Kenyans. That’s when the plan to push me out began for saying the truth,” the former DP revealed.
On October 1, 2024, Kibwezi West MP Eckomas Mwengi Mutuse filed an impeachment motion against Gachagua and accused him of 11 charges, including undermining the authority of the President and the Cabinet, thereby disrupting the national government from executing its mandate.
He was also accused of graft, insubordination, money laundering gross misconduct, and violations of the Constitution, among others. The motion sailed through the National Assembly, endorsed by 282 MPs.
Speaking during the service, Gachagua hailed the Catholic bishops for refusing to remain silent, speaking the truth, and standing for the right. The Catholic Bishops have been on the frontlines, criticising the Kenya Kwanza government.
“We thank our Bishops for speaking for the people of Kenya. When everybody has been silent, the church remains the conscience of the nation, and I’d like to encourage you to continue speaking,” the former DP stated.
Since he was chopped out of the government, Gachagua has started the trend of criticising it, asking for accountability on major issues affecting Kenyans, including the cases of forced disappearances.
A major rift has been witnessed between him and leaders allied to the Kenya Kwanza government, with National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah blaming Gachagua for being behind the ongoing forced disappearances that are on the rise.
“Gachagua was the orchestrator of forced disappearances so that he could blame President Ruto,” Ichung’wah alleged. Allegations that Gachagua rubbished.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (left) and President William Ruto during a thanksgiving service in Tharaka Nithi County on Sunday, March 12, 2023.
PCS
Rigathi Gachagua