Good morning and welcome to our Live Blog on the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
We will bring you minute-by-minute updates on the critical proceedings happening across the country, focusing on Parliament’s role in deciding Gachagua’s fate today. Expect major developments as MPs gather to cast their vote on this historic impeachment motion.
LIVESTREAM: You can follow the live debate in Parliament below.
17:20pm - Gachagua Begins His Defence, Tables Brother's Will as Evidence
DP Gachagua has begun his defence, and as expected, he is responding to the accusation himself through a prepared statement.
As part of his statement, Gachagua has tabled a will belonging to his late brother as part of his impeachment evidence against the Ksh5.5 billion corruption charges.
"The allegations that I own the Olive Garden Hotel are false. Olive Garden Hotel used to belong to my deceased brother the late Hon Nderitu Gachagua and therefore has never been my property. Just as in Olive Garden, Vipingo Beach Resort belongs to the estate of the late Nderitu Gachagua," Gachagua has told MPs.
17:15pm - MPs Demand Gachagua's Apology
Tiaty MP William Kamket demands that the Deputy President apologies to the House for his statements yesterday, referring to it as a "theatre of the absurd."
Speaker Wetangula made the same request, and Gachagua, although not apologising to the members, claimed that he had 'a lot of respect' for the House where he served five years. He described his return as 'nolstagic'.
17:10pm - Gachagua in Chambers
DP Gachagua is already seated in the National Assembly ahead of his defence against 11 charges levelled against him by MP Eckomas Mwengi Mutuse.
Gachagua is seated to the right of the Speaker, Moses Wetangula. He has a podium accorded to him, with an emblem of the Republic of Kenya.
He has two hours to make his case.
14:33pm - Gachagua Arrives to Parliament
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has arrived at the Parliament buildings, just 26 minutes before his allotted time to launch his defence.
Some members of the DP Gachagua's legal team have arrived at Parliament ahead of their defence. This team has been allowed into the Parliament buildings, with two offices reserved for Gachagua and his team.
Gachagua is expected to address the House for two hours, making his defence against 11 charges levelled against him.
16:10pm - Wamuchomba Defends Gachagua Against Alleged 'Mob Justice'
DP Gachagua ally MP Gathoni Wa Muchomba has defended him, terming the impeachment motion as 'mob justice’.
According to Wamchomba, Gachagua was not allowed room to defend himself before the motion headed for public participation.
“I rise to defend the Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, against what I am calling 'mob justice' because he was not given the right of reply before we went for public participation. The fact sheets that were distributed in our constituencies during public participation were allegations, not factual,” she asserted.
15:15pm - MPs Clash as Gachagua’s Impeachment Gets Heated
The impeachment debate took a sharp turn in the afternoon session, with tempers flaring as MPs allied to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua took to the floor. The tension spiked when Mukurwe-ini MP John Kaguchia, opposing the motion, made comments that sparked a heated response.
Kaguchia urged caution, stating, "I wish we could establish a mechanism to resolve disputes among senior leaders without resorting to impeachment. If we open this Pandora’s box, we may unleash chaos we cannot control."
This triggered a sharp interjection from Gatundu South MP George Kagombe, who did not mince words in his rebuttal. "Is the Honourable Member in order to disparage and distort the Constitution? Article 150 clearly outlines the process to remove a sitting President or Deputy President. This was passed in 2010, and it grants this Parliament the right to act. The fact that the President and DP were elected together does not invalidate these provisions. Kaguchia should withdraw his remarks."
The exchange grew even more personal when Kaguchia hit back, saying, "Mr Speaker, there’s a reason he's called Kagombe, not Kigombe. He's jumping the gun." This remark, perceived as a personal jab, sparked outrage in the chamber, with claims emerging that Kaguchia was hit by a bottle of water amidst the chaos.
Speaker Moses Wetangula stepped in to restore order, urging MPs to maintain decorum. "Honourable Members, we’ve done well since morning. This is an emotional issue, but as leaders, you must leave your emotions at the door when you enter this House. Honourable Kaguchia, refrain from making disparaging remarks. Withdraw your comment and apologise to Honourable Kagombe, then proceed with your contribution."
14:45pm - Speaker Wetangula Reveals Gachagua Will Arrive at Parliament 4pm
As the afternoon session resumes, Speaker Moses Wetangula has revealed that the DP Rigathi Gachagua is expected in Parliament at 4pm and will be called to make his defence at 5pm. After that, the Majority and Minority Leaders will be called to make comments.
Then, the mover of the motion, MP Mwengi Mutuse will be called upon to make a reply. Then MPs will head to vote.
According to Wetangula, the House anticipates to be done with the motion before midnight tonight.
12:30pm - Shollei Accuses Gachagua of Treason in Fiery Address
Deputy National Assembly Speaker, Gladys Shollei, has levelled explosive accusations against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, claiming his actions amount to treason.
During her impassioned speech on the floor of the House, Shollei alleged that Gachagua was complicit in remarks that constitute treason under Section 40 of the Penal Code. She referenced a rally in Githurai attended by Gachagua, where chants of “Ruto Must Go” and “Ruto is a One-Term President” echoed through the crowd.
“Gachagua never denounced these statements. What this amounts to is that he is guilty of treason under Section 40 of the Penal Code,” Shollei charged.
Shollei’s remarks intensified as she argued that Gachagua’s involvement in efforts to undermine President William Ruto rendered his position untenable. She asserted, “When he (Gachagua) is party to efforts to remove the President, to undermine the president, to campaign against the president, his tenure as principal assistant to the president is no longer tenable, by any interpretation or meaning.”
Shollei went on to read Section 40 of the Penal Code, which stipulates that anyone who conspires, imagines, or intends the overthrow of the President or Government by unlawful means is guilty of treason.
11:30am - Comments from MPs
Otiende Amollo - After listening to the display of jingoism, self-entitlement, and disdain for Parliament and the courts for two and a half hours, It was easy to make a decision on the impeachment of the Deputy President.
He added, " There's only one impeachment motion before us, which is in respect of the DP. If you say 'Kufa Dereva, Kufa Makanga' you want absolute turmoil for all Kenyans, who are the passengers, to die in that accident. That would be reckless."
Muragura George Gitonga, MP, Tharaka - "Even if the Deputy President survives this impeachment, where where and with who will he work with?"
11:00am - MP Mbaya Stands to Second the Motion
Deputy Majority Leader Owen Mbaya is now speaking in support of the motion to impeach DP Gachagua.
10:55am - Mutuse Urges MPs to Impeach Gachagua on All Grounds
As the debate intensifies, Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse has wrapped up his submissions with a forceful call for Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's impeachment on all 11 grounds.
“Honourable members, I urge you to vote for Gachagua’s impeachment on all grounds,” declared Mutuse, his voice firm. In the background, MPs could be heard shouting in agreement.
Mutuse added: “I’ve highlighted numerous questionable companies that received millions from the Office of the Deputy President, only for those funds to be withdrawn within hours. These transactions raise serious concerns—what else could they be for if not suspicious activities?”
10:50am - Mutuse: Gachagua's 'Shareholding' Remarks Are Divisive
MP Mutuse has condemned Gachagua’s divisive rhetoric, accusing the Deputy President of treating the government like a private shareholding company. Playing an old lip in Parliament, Mutuse pointed to how Gachagua openly admitted to prioritising regions based on their political support.
"He went to Kitui and Kajiado, dismissing them for not 'deserving' a Cabinet Secretary. In Bungoma, he reduced leadership to vote counts, and in Nandi, he labelled them major shareholders in the government. This is dangerous language that undermines national unity,” Mutuse warned the MPs.
10:45am - Gross Violations of the Constitution, Grounds for Impeachment
Mutuse meticulously dissected the impeachment grounds, beginning with the accusation that Gachagua violated Articles 147(1) and 152(1) of the Constitution by undermining the President and the Cabinet.
"For political convenience, Gachagua openly opposed cabinet decisions, defying the principle of collective responsibility. He ordered demolitions in Mavoko but then opposed similar demolitions in Nairobi. Are the people of Mavoko lesser Kenyans?" Mutuse asked pointedly.
Accusations of Undermining Devolution
Mutuse did not hold back, further accusing the Deputy President of undermining devolution by inciting Nairobi residents against lawful county directives.
"He interfered with Nairobi's governance, inciting citizens and disparaging the county’s leadership. Regulating markets is solely a county function—yet Gachagua overstepped, violating the autonomy of county governments."
Judicial Interference: Violating Judicial Independence
Mutuse also accused Gachagua of attempting to interfere with judicial independence after he threatened to petition for the removal of Judge Esther Maina, who found him guilty of economic crimes.
"Our judiciary is an independent arm of government. Gachagua’s personal vendetta against Judge Maina is an affront to the rule of law,” Mutuse told the assembly.
10:35am - Economic Crimes and Graft Allegations
On economic crimes, Mutuse laid out a detailed list of 22 companies allegedly used by Gachagua to siphon government funds and acquire properties.
“I don’t care when these companies were registered, but their activities in the last two years are highly suspect. While Gachagua hides behind his late brother's estate, it’s clear he has been pulling the strings, acquiring properties and awarding government contracts through these entities.”
Mutuse further questioned how Gachagua’s young sons, both in their 20s, were able to secure loans of KSh 600 million without proper security.
"To the Gen Zs out there, how many of you can walk into a bank and get such massive loans without any collateral? Gachagua has lied to Kenyans,” he concluded.
10:15am - Wetangula, MP Mutuse Take Issue With Gachagua's National Address
As the impeachment begins, MPs have not shyed away from throwing jabs at DP Gachagua over his national address on Monday. From Speaker Moses Wetangula to the mover of the motion, Mutuse, MPs have shown their frustrations over the DP’s move to address the matters in the press as opposed to addressing it before Parliament.
Wetangula termed the national address as abhorrent. He stated, “It is not to that the deputy president has been given an opportunity to appear before this house to make his response to the motion in accordance with the rules of natural justice.”
He went on to add, “Be that as it may, I will not wear the hat of a judge on this matter, but permit me to put it on record that the conduct was, to say the least, abhorrent and decided conduct in the light of the proceedings scheduled to commence the House.”
On his part, the mover of the motion, MP Mutuse stated, “I choose to be a prosecutor and I remove my political cap. I will therefore avoid the bravado and machismo that we was displayed yesterday on television. And we will just talk about the law, the facts, and the evidence. Mr. Speaker, honourable members, and Kenyans at large, if I do not talk about my departed relatives, it is because I do not think it is proper to use departed relatives to weep public emotions.”
He added, “It is because I do not think it is proper to use departed relatives to seek public sympathy. And therefore, much as I have also departed relatives, I will not talk about them.”
9:30am - Impeachment Motion is Tabled
Impeachment of DP Gachagua begins. Mover of the motion, MP Mwengi Mutuse begins reading the 11 charges against Gachagua. He has 60 minutes to make his case.
Thereafter, Minority and Majority Leaders will make their comments on the motion.
The impeachment motion includes claims of abuse of authority, serious violations of the constitution and laws, suspected involvement in corruption, and provocative utterances.
“THAT, the Deputy President has persistently made utterances threatening to discriminate, exclude, and unlawfully deny sections of the people of Kenya and regions of the Republic of Kenya equal opportunities for public service appointments and allocation of public resources,” reads charge one against Gachagua.
9:00am - Security Beefed Up in Nyeri
Security has been beefed up in Nyeri ahead of the impeachment motion against DP Gachagua. This comes after chaos and protests emerged in Nyeri last week during the public participation exercises.
In videos seen by Kenyans.co.ke, police presence in Nyeri has been increased in anticipation of the day’s events.
On Friday, chaos erupted in some parts of Nyeri, Gachagua's native county, where residents took to the streets to disapprove of the motion against him.
In the capital, Parliament Road has been closed, and police presence has been increased across the CBD and in and around Parliament Buildings.
This is an unprecedented motion, with huge political ramifications now and in the future.
8:30am – What We Expect Today
MPs are set to begin their Tuesday sitting at 9 AM, and the House is expected to be packed with 345 legislators ready to debate the impeachment motion against Deputy President Gachagua. According to the day’s agenda, Parliament has devoted the entire session to this high-stakes debate.
Kibwezi MP Mwengi Mutuse, the architect of the motion, is allocated 60 minutes to make his case, while the seconder will get 10 minutes to support it. The Majority Leader, Kimani Ichung’wah, and Minority Leader, Junet Mohammed, will each have 10 minutes to weigh in before Speaker Moses Wetangula opens the floor for the rest of the MPs.
Parliament will have a total of 7 hours to discuss the motion, including a report on public participation in the matter. Gachagua has criticised this report, claiming that the process was flawed. The Deputy President will then take the floor at 5 PM to present his defence, expected to last two hours.
MPs will cast their votes after Gachagua’s defence. For the impeachment to pass, two-thirds of the House – 233 MPs – must vote in favour. Should they succeed, the motion will head to the Senate. Gachagua, however, remains defiant, claiming the charges are politically driven and lack solid evidence.
8:00am – Ichung’wah Tears into Gachagua’s Defence
Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah fiercely criticised DP Gachagua’s defence, calling it a mere performance for public sympathy. Ichung’wah’s remarks follow a heated two-hour national address by Gachagua on Monday night, where the Deputy President suggested that President William Ruto is orchestrating the impeachment effort.
Gachagua did not mince words, stating, “This motion wouldn’t reach Parliament without the President’s nod; it has his blessing.”
However, Ichung’wah, speaking to NTV shortly after Gachagua’s address, refuted these claims, asserting that MPs are acting independently of any executive influence.
“I am the Majority Leader, and when Honourable Muthuza Akomat approached me for my signature on the motion, I personally reviewed it and decided to sign. Members of Parliament do not need President Ruto’s approval or any influence from the executive to impeach anyone,” declared Ichung’wah.
His words fuelled a growing division in Parliament, with some MPs backing Ichung’wah’s statements, while others expressed sympathy for Gachagua’s plight.
