Murang’a MPs Oppose  Gachagua’s Impeachment Motion, Call for Party Dispute Resolution

Members of Parliament from Murang’a County have strongly opposed the ongoing impeachment motion against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, urging for a more measured and constitutionally guided approach. In a joint statement, the MPs highlighted the potential social, political, and economic ramifications of the motion on the Mount Kenya region and called for the issue to be resolved through United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party mechanisms and public participation.

The legislators expressed concerns over how the impeachment would affect key sectors in the region, warning that it could jeopardize the region’s economic welfare and potentially harm political stability ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Economic Impacts on the Region

Led by Hon. Mary Wamaua (Maragua Constituency), the MPs, including Hon. Edward Muriu (Gatanga), Hon. Peter Kihungi (Kangema), Hon. Joseph Muiotoro (Kigumo), Hon. Chege Njuguna (Kandara), and Senator Joe Nyutu, emphasized the potential adverse effects of the impeachment on the region’s economy.

They cited key economic drivers such as tea, coffee, milk, macadamia, avocado, miraa, rice, and other agricultural sectors, which are vital to the livelihood of many in Mount Kenya. The group noted that ongoing projects aimed at improving infrastructure—such as roads, water, and electricity—would be derailed by the political instability that could follow the impeachment.

“Our government’s agenda to complete the stalled projects on roads, water, and electricity would be sacrificed at the altar of this impeachment,” the MPs warned. “The economic and social welfare of the people of the Mountain will be adversely affected.”

They also expressed concern that key national issues, such as unemployment, university funding, healthcare programs, and even contentious matters like the Adani energy project, would be overshadowed by the political drama surrounding the Deputy President’s impeachment.

Call for UDA’s Dispute Resolution Mechanism

The Murang’a County MPs stressed that the impeachment is fundamentally a dispute within the UDA party between its elected members and the Deputy Party Leader, Rigathi Gachagua. They called for the matter to be settled internally using the dispute resolution mechanisms provided for in Article 39 of the UDA Constitution.

“This impeachment is a dispute between members of UDA and the Deputy Party Leader,” the MPs said. “Article 39 of the UDA Constitution lays out a dispute resolution process, and we believe that this process should be exhausted before bringing such a matter to the National Assembly.”

The MPs argued that failing to first explore internal UDA procedures would escalate tensions unnecessarily, possibly deepening political divisions within the party and across the region.

Concerns Over Lack of Public Participation

Another major concern raised by the Murang’a MPs is the lack of public involvement in the impeachment process. Citing Article 118 of the Kenyan Constitution, which mandates public participation in parliamentary processes, the MPs argued that no effort had been made to consult the people about the impeachment motion.

They noted that their constituents had overwhelmingly expressed opposition to the impeachment of Deputy President Gachagua. “The seven constituencies of Murang’a County have soundly rejected any attempt to impeach His Excellency Rigathi Gachagua,” the MPs said.

In light of this, the MPs called for a thorough public consultation process across all 290 constituencies in Kenya, allowing MPs to gather feedback from the people they represent before any further action is taken on the impeachment.

“We are calling on Parliament to facilitate public participation by sending all Members of Parliament back to their constituencies, hold barazas, and engage with churches and communities. Only then can a meaningful, legally sanctioned debate proceed in Parliament.”

Lessons from the Finance Bill 2024

The Murang’a MPs also pointed to the Finance Bill 2024 as a cautionary example. They said the violent protests that followed the passage of the Finance Bill were the result of MPs ignoring public sentiment, a mistake they said should not be repeated with the impeachment motion.

“We learned our lesson from the Finance Bill 2024, which caused deadly Gen-Z demonstrations across the country because MPs failed to listen to the people,” the MPs said. “A mistake is called a mistake if repeated!”

Final Call for Sobriety

As they concluded their statement, the Murang’a MPs made a passionate appeal for sobriety and careful consideration of the impeachment motion, urging their fellow lawmakers to prioritize the interests of the nation over individual political agendas.

“The interest of the nation is greater than the interest of an individual,” the MPs said. They made it clear that if the current advice to resolve the dispute within the UDA and to conduct public participation is ignored, they would vote against the impeachment motion.

“It is not too late to do the right thing, and if our advice and counsel are ignored, as Members of Murang’a County, we shall vote NO to the motion.”

The statement reflects growing divisions within the UDA party and highlights the complex political landscape surrounding Deputy President Gachagua’s impeachment. How Parliament proceeds with the motion will likely have lasting consequences for the political and economic trajectory of the Mount Kenya region