President William Ruto is facing growing criticism for allegedly using the constitution to settle political scores, particularly with the impeachment motion against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
The charges against Gachagua are increasingly seen as politically motivated, to consolidate power rather than address serious misconduct. Many argue that the impeachment process is being weaponized, undermining the intent of the Constitution as a tool for good governance.
The contrast between impeaching a Deputy President and recalling a Member of Parliament highlights this constitutional misuse. The process to recall an MP is rigorous, requiring substantial evidence of poor performance or misconduct, backed by the signatures of at least 30% of registered voters in the constituency.
This threshold ensures that recall motions are not initiated frivolously. Yet, in Gachagua’s case, the impeachment process seems to have a much lower bar, raising concerns about the erosion of constitutional standards.
Former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana echoed these concerns, warning that the constitution should never be misused to serve one political group’s agenda against another. In a statement on social media, Kibwana noted that past governments, despite their differences, upheld the convention of allowing Presidents and their Deputies to serve full terms.
He emphasized that political infighting, particularly between the President and Deputy, does not serve the interests of good governance, and manipulating the constitution for political gain is dangerous.
The ongoing impeachment of Gachagua is not just a test of political power but also a critical moment for Kenya’s democracy.
As Kibwana warned, this kind of manipulation of constitutional provisions sets a dangerous precedent, one that could erode the country’s democratic institutions and lead to further political instability. The constitution must be safeguarded from being used as a weapon in political disputes, and instead, serve its true purpose: promoting accountability, justice, and stability.
