Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga has called for Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse to be stripped of both his law degree and Kenya School of Law (KSL) diploma following his unimpressive performance during the Senate impeachment hearing of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Mutunga made the remark in response to a satirical cartoon by Maddo, a well-known political commentator and visual artist, which poked fun at Mutuse’s struggles during the proceedings.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, October 19, 2024, Maddo sarcastically commented on Mutuse’s performance, saying, “Mutuse wallowed in his newfound ‘stardom’… until he met Ongoya who promptly turned him into a weasel.”
In his reaction to the post, Mutunga agreed with Maddo’s depiction and added that the Kibwezi West MP’s law degree and KSL diploma needed to be revoked.
“Do you have a dog in this circus, comrade? I doubt. The Mutuse comment is apt. They should recall Mutuse’s law degree and KSL diploma,” Willy Mutunga wrote on X.
Senate impeachment hearing
Mutuse faced heavy criticism after he fumbled repeatedly while being cross-examined by Rigathi Gachagua’s legal team, led by lawyer Elisha Ongoya.
Dramatic showdown was witnessed in the Senate, with Gachagua’s legal team taking to the floor to cross-examine Mutuse.
The Kibwezi West MP, who was the mover of the impeachment motion at the National Assembly, struggled to substantiate key claims.
Ongoya challenged the Kibwezi West MP to substantiate the claims laid out in the 11 grounds for Gachagua’s impeachment.
Under pressure, Mutuse stumbled, struggling to support his assertion like the the claim that Gachagua owned the Vipingo Beach Resort, a central asset in the impeachment case.
“It may be getting hotter, but look at the document, compose yourself, and read. What is the total number of shares in Vipingo Beach Company?” Ongoya pressed.
“10,000,” Mutuse replied, faltering in the moment.
“Who is indicated as the owner of all those 10,000 shares?” Ongoya probed further.
“The late James Nderitu Gachagua,” Mutuse responded.
“When the DP says this company is wholly owned by his late brother, is he speaking the truth or not?” Ongoya pushed.
“Yes,” Mutuse opined.
Mutuse’s inability to confidently defend his claims led to widespread ridicule on social media, with many Kenyans mocking his performance with memes and vile words.
Mutunga’s sharp critique has only amplified the public scrutiny surrounding the MP’s legal qualifications and his handling of the impeachment case.
As the impeachment drama continues to unfold, Mutuse remains at the centre of social media backlash, his performance raising questions about his competence as a legal professional.