MP Kipchumba Criticizes Impeachment Motion
“I have read and understood the impeachment motion against the DP, and indeed, it is a classic case of a hyena accusing its baby of smelling like a goat when it wants to eat it,”
By Robert Mutasi
On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, Parliament faced sharp divisions over the impeachment motion against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
In a heated session, 291 Members of Parliament voted in favor of the motion, signaling significant backing for Gachagua’s removal from office.
However, not all lawmakers supported the move, with Timothy Kipchumba, the MP for Marakwet West Constituency, standing out as a strong critic of the impeachment.
Kipchumba expressed his firm opposition, delivering a pointed speech in which he questioned the motives behind the motion.
“I have read and understood the impeachment motion against the DP, and indeed, it is a classic case of a hyena accusing its baby of smelling like a goat when it wants to eat it,” Kipchumba declared, using a vivid analogy to suggest that the impeachment was politically motivated.
He further added, “My conscience is against the letter, the spirit, and the intent of the impeachment motion.”
Kipchumba’s passionate defense of the Deputy President resonated with a minority of MPs who, like him, believed the impeachment was unjust and driven by political interests rather than concerns about governance.
“Let history record that I have never supported the impeachment of DP Gachagua,” he asserted.
The impeachment motion came at a time of escalating tensions within the ruling coalition, fueled by mounting allegations against Gachagua.
The Deputy President had been implicated in various scandals, including accusations of corruption and abuse of office, which had dominated national headlines for months.
Despite his public denials, the pressure to remove him continued to build, culminating in the filing of the impeachment motion in September 2024.
Those advocating for Gachagua’s impeachment argued that his behavior was unbecoming of a Deputy President.
They cited instances of alleged corruption and misuse of public resources, contending that his actions had severely undermined the integrity of his office.
Despite the overwhelming support for the motion in Parliament, Gachagua’s allies, including Kipchumba, viewed the impeachment as a strategic move designed to weaken the Deputy President’s political influence.
They believed it was part of a larger plan to realign political power in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.
As the process moves forward, the fate of Deputy President Gachagua remains uncertain, as he navigates what could be the most critical challenge of his political career.
The nation watches closely, awaiting the next developments in this high-stakes political battle.