Babu Owino Defends Absence from Gachagua Impeachment Vote

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has addressed his absence during the crucial vote to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

In a Facebook post, Owino explains that he was attending to urgent matters affecting his constituents. He criticizes the National Assembly for prioritizing the impeachment over more pressing issues such as the Adani deal, the new university funding model, the Social Health Authority, the high cost of living, excessive taxation, and unemployment. Owino questions the rationale behind dedicating an entire day to discussing Gachagua's impeachment, stating that he would be present in Parliament when these more critical issues are addressed. He emphasizes that the urgency applied to Gachagua's impeachment should be directed towards solving the challenges facing Kenyans.

Notably, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro was also absent during the vote. The impeachment motion, tabled on October 1 by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, was a significant event in Kenyan politics that attracted both local and international attention. The grounds for impeachment include allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and failure to uphold the Constitution. During the debate, Gachagua was allowed to defend himself against the 11 grounds of impeachment. Despite his robust defence, which included presenting evidentiary material and video clips to counter the claims, the National Assembly voted overwhelmingly in favour of the impeachment.

The final tally showed 281 MPs supporting the motion, 44 opposing it, and one abstention. Following the vote, Gachagua issued a brief statement, saying, "It is well". The impeachment proceedings now move to the Senate, where Gachagua will need the support of at least 23 senators to defeat the motion and retain his position. Many citizens and political analysts have echoed Owino's sentiments, arguing that the government should focus on addressing pressing issues affecting the country. The high cost of living, unemployment, and excessive taxation are among the top concerns for many Kenyans who feel that their leaders are not doing enough to address these challenges.

Several contentious issues have been highlighted in the wake of the impeachment proceedings. The Adani deal, involving the management of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, has faced criticism over potential job losses and increased costs for airport services. The new university funding model has encountered opposition from students and educators who believe it will make higher education less accessible to disadvantaged groups. Additionally, the Social Health Authority has been criticized for its implementation challenges and perceived inefficiencies.

As the Senate prepares to deliberate on Gachagua's impeachment, attention is focused on whether the deputy president can garner enough support to weather the political storm.