By Joseph Mutua Ndonga
It is all system go for the members of parliament collecting signatures to commence the process of impeaching Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
The law requires the mover to collect 117 signatures of members before being allowed to table the motion in the National Assembly.
And as the day of filling of this motion draws closer, the DP continues to demonstrate that he is not a pushover.
While maintaining a demeanor of boldness and courage, he has repeatedly stated that he’s ready to face his accusers head-on.
The MPs plotting to impeach me for no good reasons are not sure whether their ill-advised mission will succeed.
So, the MPs’ first strategy is to sell fear to me, hoping that I will resign before the motion is tabled. I cannot buy fear.
Surely, how can you tell me to leave my house, which I worked hard to build?
I want to remind them that the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is my party, and I’m the Deputy Party leader.
The DP have since been avoiding dragging the name of the party leader, President William Ruto, to his woes, and instead he would always shower him with praise.
The latest was during the funeral service of 21 pupils of Hillside Endarasha Academy who succumbed to the raging flames of fire that gutted their dormitory at night.
The DP told the mourners, “I’m here to represent my boss, President William Ruto, and I have his message of condolences.”
The service was held at a time when President William Ruto was away in New York in the United States of America to represent Kenya at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
One thing has, however, remained clear. Gachagua’s close allies have been reading a different script and are no longer shying away from engaging President Ruto in bare-knuckled attacks.
They would allege that the president was behind Gachagua’s woes.
The President can calm the rising temperature if he wants by asking the MPs to rescind their bid to impeach his deputy.
These statements would be political but not based on law.
According to the 2010 Constitution, the President has no power to dictate to parliament on how to discharge its mandate.
Being one of the key arms of government, the process of impeaching a sitting DP solely lies with parliament.
Any member was free to file a motion if he or she believes the actions of DP amount to gross violations of the constitution and other laws of the land.
If the mover of the motion manages to prove the grounds beyond reasonable doubt, the members will vote, and the DP will go home after two things happen. First, the impeachment vote must garner at least a two-thirds majority, which is 233 MPs. The vote must receive the concurrence of the Senate.
Joseph Mutua Ndonga Is A Writer And Social Commentator Based In Nairobi