National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has sharply criticized Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for a two-hour televised interview on Monday, calling it “abhorrent” and inappropriate due to the ongoing parliamentary motion seeking his impeachment.
Wetangula’s remarks came ahead of the highly anticipated impeachment debate, which could have significant ramifications for Gachagua’s political career. The Speaker took issue with Gachagua’s decision to speak publicly on a matter actively under Parliament’s consideration.
“I will not act as a judge in this matter, but I must put on record that the Deputy President’s conduct was, to say the least, abhorrent, especially considering the ongoing parliamentary proceedings,” Wetangula said during the session.
The Speaker cited Standing Order 85 of the National Assembly, which bars members from preempting discussions on motions that have been formally introduced. Although Gachagua is not a Member of Parliament, Wetangula asserted that the rule applies to him due to his direct involvement in the motion.
“Standing Order 85 explicitly prohibits members of this House from preempting debate on a motion for which notice has been issued,” Wetangula clarified. “When interpreted broadly, the order also applies to non-members, particularly those directly affected by such motions.”
He further stated that, as the subject of the impeachment motion, Gachagua should have exercised greater caution and refrained from speaking to the media while the issue is under parliamentary scrutiny.
“Given that the special motion is scheduled for debate and a vote today, I believe the Deputy President should have shown restraint and avoided the media interview,” Wetangula added.
Gachagua, in his televised briefing, dismissed the allegations behind the impeachment motion as baseless and politically motivated. He claimed that the move was part of a larger plot to discredit him and remove him from office. The Deputy President further described the impeachment process as one of the most “shameful acts” in the history of the National Assembly, accusing legislators of attempting to oust a democratically elected leader on false grounds.
The impeachment debate is set to proceed later today, with Gachagua’s political future hanging in the balance.