By Antynet Ford
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula on Tuesday turned down a request from Tetu Member of Parliament Geoffrey Wandeto to retract his support for the motion to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
During the debate on the impeachment motion, the speaker stated that he received a letter from Wandeto attempting to withdraw his signature.
“I want to invite the honorable members to read the Standing Orders that are very clear. Once you append your signature to a Special Motion, you have crossed the Rubicon (Cannot be reversed) and you cannot withdraw that signature.” Wetangula said
The impeachment motion was introduced last week by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse.
At least 291 out of 345 members of the National Assembly signed in favor of the motion, surpassing the necessary 117-member threshold by 174 signatures.
“Each speech in a debate on a Special Motion under Articles 145 and 150 of the Constitution shall be limited as follows:- (a) A maximum of sixty (60) minutes for the Mover in moving.” it read in part.
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The general discussion is expected to last approximately seven hours.
Deputy President Gachagua will also be allowed to speak, with at least two hours dedicated for him to address the assembly before a vote takes place.
He has been allocated time from 5 pm to 7 pm today to present his defense. According to Standing Order 67, the House is obligated to allow Gachagua to defend himself either in person or through a representative.
Following Gachagua’s statement, MP Mutuse Mwengi will have an additional 30 minutes to respond.
The final vote on the motion will then occur.
Under Articles 145 and 150 of the Constitution of Kenya, if 233 Members of the National Assembly support the motion, it will be forwarded to the Speaker of the Senate within two days.
Conversely, if the motion fails to gain the necessary support, the matter will be considered resolved, and Gachagua will retain his position.
