On Friday, a public participation exercise concerning the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was abruptly halted due to chaos that erupted at a venue in Nyeri County.
Tensions flared as residents voiced their strong opposition to the National Assembly’s initiative to remove the deputy president, arguing that he was elected alongside President William Ruto and should not be ousted without just cause.
Videos obtained by NewsHub Kenya show residents igniting bonfires outside the public participation center, forcing security officers to step in to restore order.
During the protests, local demonstrators erected barricades on the road leading into Nyeri town, effectively halting transport and disrupting business activities in the region.
Despite police reinforcements being deployed to the area, the determined locals remained resolute in their protests, insisting that any disputes between President Ruto and DP Gachagua should be resolved amicably and internally.
A similar scenario unfolded in Kiambu County, where locals also interrupted an ongoing public participation event to express their frustrations over the National Assembly’s plan to impeach Deputy President Gachagua. “This is like a marriage.
If Gachagua is removed, he leaves with Ruto,” one resident remarked, highlighting the deep connections perceived between the two leaders.
Some residents raised concerns about the public participation process itself, claiming it lacked transparency and credibility.
“They should have allowed us to vote electronically through a website. That would ensure credibility, but this process is vulnerable to manipulation,” argued a concerned Kiambu resident.
Their comments reflected a broader sentiment that the current process was flawed and did not adequately represent the voices of the people.
The public participation exercise, which officially began on October 4, is scheduled to conclude on October 5, allowing Kenyans to voice their opinions in accordance with Article 182 of the Constitution.
Citizens wishing to express their views on the impeachment of the deputy president were instructed to submit their comments online to impeachment@parliament.go.ke or to visit designated centers.
Earlier, on October 1, an impeachment motion against Deputy President Gachagua was introduced in the National Assembly, receiving backing from 291 members of Parliament.
“No Rigathi, no Ruto! Don’t attempt to touch the mountain! We stand firmly behind Gachagua!” the residents chanted, calling for an end to the public participation exercise.
They labeled the impeachment effort as a politically motivated maneuver rather than a genuine concern for the public good.
