108 Employees Sent on Forced Leave Following Gachagua's Impeachment

The Office of the Deputy President in Kenya has been thrust into turmoil following the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua.

In a sweeping move, 108 senior staff members have been directed to take compulsory leave with immediate effect. This directive, issued by Principal Administrative Secretary Patrick Mwangi, applies to all officers in Job groups T and U, as well as those on supernumerary contracts. The decision comes in the wake of Gachagua's impeachment by the National Assembly where 282 MPs voted in favour of a motion tabling 11 grounds against him, including accusations of gross misconduct and constitutional violations.

Gachagua has denied these charges and is currently pursuing legal avenues to challenge his removal from office. Among those affected by the compulsory leave order are several high-profile individuals, including former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu who served as Gachagua's political advisor and Elizabeth Wanjiku, the Chief of Staff at the Deputy President's Office. The directive also impacts former Embakasi West MP George Theuri who held the position of youth adviser.

To ensure continuity of operations, heads of departments have been instructed to designate responsible officers to oversee their respective areas. This measure aims to maintain the functionality of the office during this period of transition and uncertainty. The impeachment process has sparked significant public reaction, particularly in Gachagua's home region of Nyeri. Many residents have expressed disappointment and concern over his ouster, with some organizing prayer meetings and solidarity gatherings.

A recent survey indicated that a majority of Mt. Kenya residents opposed the impeachment, citing Gachagua's leadership qualities and performance in office. However, the political landscape remains divided, with the impeachment process highlighting deep-seated tensions within the country's political sphere. The situation has been further complicated by legal manoeuvre as Gachagua successfully obtained a court order temporarily halting the swearing-in of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki as his potential replacement.

Yesterday, Ruto’s senior adviser Moses Kuria ignited widespread speculation with a cryptic tweet stating "Kesho ni ile siku" (Tomorrow is the day), accompanied by images of apparent preparations at Uhuru Gardens. This message fueled rumours about an imminent swearing-in ceremony for a new deputy president, despite a court order suspending such action. Kuria's tweet, given his proximity to power, has significantly intensified public discourse and heightened anticipation of potential political manoeuvres.