Residents of Kagio in Kirinyaga County took to the streets on Wednesday, October 16, to voice their anger over the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Chanting slogans, the protesters demanded the Senate dismiss the motion and directed their Senator, James Kamau Murango, to oppose Gachagua’s impeachment.
The demonstrations come amid mounting political tensions, with many in the crowd adamantly supporting Gachagua. Judy Wanjiku, a local resident, expressed the frustrations of many, stating, “We are angry with this motion of impeachment. We are asking the Senate not to impeach Gachagua.”
Her sentiments were echoed by Joseph Njenga, who warned Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru against attempting to step into the Deputy President's shoes. "We are asking Anne Waiguru to leave Gachagua’s seat alone. Let her wait for 2027, and if Kenyans accept her, then that's fine," he asserted.
The protests unfolded just a day after hundreds of women in the county rallied in Kutus town, urging President William Ruto to consider Waiguru for the position should Gachagua be ousted. Community leaders from all 20 wards endorsed Waiguru as the most suitable candidate, declaring that Kenya was ready for a woman Deputy President.
“We are praying a lot for Gachagua, but if things go wrong, we have Waiguru. If you look at the qualifications of those showing interest in the position, I do not think there is anyone as qualified as Waiguru,” one leader remarked.
Simultaneously, it has emerged that major changes within the National Police Service (NPS) command structure have taken place in Central Kenya, including Gachagua's home county of Nyeri.
According to reports, the reshuffles may be politically motivated, coinciding with the impeachment push. Among the changes, a new county commander, David Kipchichir, has been appointed in Nyeri, while a new head of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has been assigned to Gachagua's backyard of Mathira.
The restructuring has extended to Nyeri Sub-County, where Wilfred Mugure has taken over as police commander, replacing Charles Chacha. Paul Makange has been deployed to oversee the DCI operations in the region, adding to the flurry of security-related adjustments.
The security reshuffles have not been limited to the police force. Pius Murugu, who now serves as both the Nyeri County Commissioner and acting chair of the Central Region’s security council, has replaced Ahmed Bore. NPS spokesperson Dr. Resila Anyango dismissed speculation about the reshuffles, asserting, "The RPC and County Police Commander were changed in a normal transfer process."
The timing of these security changes has raised eyebrows, with some perceiving it as a strategic move amid Gachagua's impeachment bid.
