On Monday, Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana filed a censure motion against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
This comes at a time when there are claims from Mount Kenya lawmakers led by Githunguri MP Gathoni wa Muchomba of plans to impeach the second-in-command.
The ongoing debate has created confusion on whether the censure motion is an impeachment motion and what it means for the Deputy President and his followers.
So, what does a censure motion mean?
What is a censure motion?
A censure motion is a formal expression of strong disapproval against the conduct of a public official, in this case, the Deputy President.
Unlike an impeachment motion, which seeks to remove someone from office, a censure motion is more of a political rebuke or reprimand. It criticizes an official’s actions without necessarily calling for their dismissal.
When such a motion is presented in Parliament or Senate, MPs and senators can debate and pass judgment on a leader’s conduct, sending a message of their dissatisfaction.
Senator Mungatana’s Motion Against Gachagua
Senator Danson Mungatana filed the censure motion against DP Gachagua with the Senate Speaker’s office, accusing Gachagua of engaging in divisive politics and failing to uphold the responsibilities of his office.
According to Senator Mungatana, DP Gachagua has betrayed his oath of office, which requires him to act in a manner that unites the entire country, and not being seen as championing the development of select regions of Kenya, to the exclusion of the rest of the country.
Political Isolation and Alleged Impeachment
The censure motion comes when there are growing tensions between Gachagua and other leaders within the Kenya Kwanza administration, led by the Majority leader of the National Assembly, Kimani Ichung’wah.
Rumors of an impending impeachment motion have circulated, adding to the Deputy President’s woes. Gachagua has expressed frustration over his isolation from key government operations, citing his removal from President William Ruto’s official WhatsApp group.
“I always align my diary with that of the President, all the time, and as long as I’m aware of that function, I align accordingly. Sometimes if I’m not aware, I’m unable to align because I also have my programme,” Gachagua said during an interview with Citizen TV anchor Sam Gituku.
Despite this, he maintained that he remains committed to his responsibilities as the DP, stating that he will seek to address the matter directly with President Ruto at the appropriate time.
The Deputy President’s Defense
Gachagua has defended himself from his critics, claiming that he is being targeted for being too focused on the concerns of ordinary Kenyans.
He acknowledged that some within the government view him as a disruptive force because of his “people-centered” approach. However, he remains defiant, stating that listening to the needs of Wanjiku is not a crime.
Gachagua has claimed that the internal conflicts he is facing are even worse than what President Ruto experienced during his tenure as DP under former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
He has called on President Ruto to unite the Kenya Kwanza Alliance for the sake of national development.
Is an Impeachment Motion Likely?
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has dismissed rumors of an impeachment motion against DP Gachagua, stating that no signatures have been collected to initiate such a process.
“As the majority leader, I can tell Kenyans there have never been any impeachment plans against him,” he said.
However, key legislators close to President Ruto led by Kapresent MP Oscar Sudi and National Assembly Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss Sholei have sent warning shorts to DP Gachagua, saying that he will soon be impeached in the coming weeks.