As per a poster that went viral on social media platforms, Gachagua was expected to hold a presser at 7.00 pm.
The Office of the Deputy President has dismissed claims of a planned press conference by Rigathi Gachagua on Tuesday night, October 15 ahead of his two-day date with destiny at the Senate following his impeachment by the National Assembly.
As per a poster that went viral on social media platforms, Gachagua was expected to hold a presser at 7.00 pm. The second-in-command has not held a press conference since Monday, October 7, a day before more than 281 Members of Parliament voted in favour of the motion to oust him.
Njeri Rugene who heads Deputy Presidential Communication Service (DPCS), responded on X by flagging that poster as fake. She urged Kenyans to ignore it as it did not come from the office of the DP.
A notice deemed fake of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s upcoming address to the nation. /NJERI RUGENE.X
Authors of the fake media invite had also alleged that the presser was to be held at the official residence of the DP in Karen, Nairobi. However, the agenda of the presser was neither mentioned nor indicated.
Gachagua since being impeached by the National Assembly has talked about the impeachment process on a few occasions, including last Sunday while attending the 34th diocesan anniversary celebrations at St Mark’s Teachers Training College in Embu.
He had urged his countrymen to maintain peace no matter the outcome of his Senate trial. “Irrespective of what happens, I am calling for peace in Embu and Mt Kenya and all of Kenya. We only have one Kenya and not any other country,” Gachagua stated.
Other than that, he has not had a public appearance, apart from his stint at the National Assembly where he defended himself from the impeachment, a road, which could be the first time in the history of the Republic of Kenya, that began following the introduction of a Special Motion by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse.
It outlined 11 charges against the Deputy President, including gross violation of the Constitution, undermining the President and the Cabinet, undermining Devolution, and compromising judicial independence by publicly attacking a judge.
Additional accusations included making inciteful statements, committing economic crimes, spreading false, malicious, divisive, and inciteful remarks, publicly insubordinating the President, and persistently bullying State and public officers.
Before the vote, Gachagua appeared before the National Assembly where he defended himself against the allegations for about two hours. He dismissed the claims as “outrageous and baseless propaganda” aimed at tarnishing his reputation and removing him from office.
Gachagua condemned the impeachment proceedings, calling them the “most shameful act” in the history of the House, asserting that legislators were attempting to oust a democratically elected leader based on fabrications.
His boss, President William Ruto, has not mentioned a single word on Gachagua’s impeachment process, steering clear of touching on it in previous public addresses.
The impeachment hearing against the DP in the Senate is set to commence on Wednesday, October 16 and will be completed on Thursday, October 17.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua speaking at the National Assembly on October 8, 2024. /PARLIAMENT KENYA