Jubilee Party Threatens to Impeach President William Ruto for Involvement With Political Parties

A faction of the Jubilee Party affiliated with former President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday, June 8, hinted at proposing a bill that would give reasons to impeach President William Ruto due to his involvement with political parties. 

Speaking after the National Executive Committee(NEC) meeting since the debated National Delegates Conference (NDC), Jubilee Party member said the bill would also allow MPs to bring up a motion to impeach Ruto's deputy, Rigathi Gachagua. Addressing the media, former Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni explained that the notion of creating the Bill stemmed from the meddling of Kenya Kwanza in the Jubilee Party's matters. 

He contended that the Bill would restore order to parties after President Ruto had lured politicians from the opposition into his outfit, thereby reinforcing his power in the Parliament. The embattled Jubilee Secretary General maintained that Jubilee will persuade the members to back the Bill. However, he conveyed that they would face a herculean task due to Ruto's majority in the Parliament.

"We will try and see if the MPs will pass that Bill. If they fail, others will pass it in Parliament," Kioni insisted that Jubilee would exploit alternatives should Ruto beat them at their own game.  

The 2010 Constitution states that a president can be impeached for offences such as breaching the Constitution, treason, bribery, and other significant criminal activities. Azimio leader Raila Odinga threatened to reignite protests should Ruto persist in meddling with political parties. 

This was one of his ultimatums before the cross-party negotiations with Ruto fell apart. At former President Uhuru's National Development Council, Raila also accused Ruto of taking control of the Judiciary and Parliament. After the August 9 General Election, the former Prime Minister saw many of his MPs defect to Ruto's Kenya Kwanza.

On Thursday, June 8, Azimio la Umoja also threatened to impeach the Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetangula, on account of declining to accept their motion to oust Sabina Chege from his position as the deputy minority whip at the National Assembly. The minority leader, Opiyo Wandayi, accused Wetangula of favouring the majority in the dispute over Chege's removal.

“Things cannot move in this manner in this House, anymore. We have decided to bring a motion of impeachment against the Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula,” Wandayi warned.