MP Maina Denies Interference in Gachagua Impeachment

Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina, on Friday, May 22, challenged a lawyer representing the National Assembly regarding allegations of interference in public participation during former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment. The issue emerged during court proceedings contesting the legality of the impeachment process, where lawyer Moses Kipkogei defended the National Assembly’s management of public participation forums across the country. Kipkogei contended that Parliament fulfilled the constitutional requirements for public participation in both quality and quantity, and asserted that aside from purported disturbances in Kirinyaga, the process was predominantly peaceful throughout the nation. The lawyer accused Maina, who serves as the third petitioner in the case and is part of Gachagua’s legal team, of closing her office in Kirinyaga prior to obtaining court orders to halt the exercise. According to his statement, the closure obstructed public members from submitting their perspectives on the impeachment motion. However, this was inconsistent with the facts already presented in court. ‘My lord, my lady, he blatantly lied to this court,’ the MP stated during her submissions. She also accused the lawyer of trying to portray Kirinyaga County as disorganized during the public participation exercise, despite credible sources indicating otherwise. Maina referenced a National Assembly report from October 8, 2024, which documented regions where political interference was reported, including Murang’a and Nyeri counties, emphasizing that Kirinyaga County was not included. ‘For the record, and particularly for the public observing us, I have never incited, financed, organized, or even supported chaos, not only in Kirinyaga County, but anywhere in this great republic,’ she informed the court. The MP further highlighted the same parliamentary report indicating that public participation occurred at the Kirinyaga Central NG-CDF offices, where 14 individuals reportedly participated in the exercise. The consolidated petition before Justices Ogolla, Mrima and Mugambi combines seven petitions submitted by 41 individuals, all contesting the removal from office. The Senate endorsed the impeachment with a 54 to 13 vote on the evening of October 17, 2024, a vote conducted while Gachagua was hospitalized and unable to attend the proceedings. Gachagua has since withdrawn his request for reinstatement as Deputy President, with his legal team now pursuing compensation and damages exceeding Ksh450 million.