The current political atmosphere in Kenya has been highly charged, especially surrounding the impeachment attempts against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Public participation sessions held to gather views on the matter have been marked by disruptions and chaos.
For instance, in Nakuru, angry residents chased away officials conducting the sessions, refusing to engage in the impeachment process.
These public hearings, intended to be a platform for civil discussion, have instead become battlegrounds of frustration, with many citizens openly protesting against Gachagua and President Ruto’s leadership.
Slogans such as “Ruto must go” were chanted, reflecting deep-seated discontent among sections of the public.
The impeachment motion, brought forward by MP Mutuse Mwengi, accuses Gachagua of promoting ethnic discrimination, corruption, and undermining constitutional values.
These serious charges, combined with allegations of interfering in devolution, have fueled tensions. Despite this,
Gachagua remains defiant, vowing to resist the impeachment efforts, while the public’s reaction to the process highlights a broader sense of dissatisfaction with the current government.
Notably, the process has been marred by violent incidents, such as the fracas at the Bomas of Kenya, where chairs were thrown, and activists were attacked during the hearings.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna condemned the violence, calling for peaceful expression of opinions, but the chaos indicates a nation grappling with rising political disillusionment and mistrust.
This ongoing unrest underscores the growing divide between the leadership and sections of the Kenyan public, many of whom feel that promises made during elections have not been met.