Uasin Gishu County Women Representative Gladys Boss Shollei has come out to defend her remarks against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, where she vowed to spearhead his impeachment.
According to Shollei, her fiery declaration was made in her capacity as a Member of Parliament (MP), not in her official role as the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.
The legislator made this clarification during the ongoing impeachment debate on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, in parliament, assuring critics that there was no bias despite her current position in the House.
“I have been accused by the DP of bias, indicating that I cannot preside over these impeachment proceedings. I want to confirm that I am not biased. When I made the statements that I did, I made them as a Member of Parliament for Uasin Gishu County and not as a Deputy Speaker sitting on the Speaker’s chair,” Shollei stated.
Shollei further added that her primary role is to represent her constituents, even as she holds the position of Deputy Speaker. She explained that her legal right to speak as an MP remains intact, despite the titles that come with her job.
“I am first and foremost an MP before I am Deputy Speaker. If the law expected me to zip it because I’m Deputy Speaker, they’d have included a resignation clause. Luckily, I get to wear two hats, and today I’m using the MP one,” she added.
Shollei had originally made headlines on September 23, 2024, when she took a no-nonsense approach to Gachagua’s political future. In a statement, she confidently warned the Deputy President that his days in office were numbered.
“I will personally send you home. Rigathi Gachagua, I am putting you on notice today. I want to confirm to you that you will be impeached, and I shall be in charge of that impeachment motion. Here at home, they call me the Iron Lady. No one will touch William Ruto when I’m around.”
Treason claims
Shollei accused Gachagua of treason, following his controversial remarks during his recent public appearances.
The embattled second in command is facing a motion of impeachment, sponsored by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse and supported by a majority of MPs, with the National Assembly set to hear his defence later on Tuesday, October 8, 2024.
Shollei claimed that Gachagua’s actions demonstrate gross misconduct, rendering him unfit to continue serving as the Deputy President.
“During the rally in Githurai, which was presided over by the DP, he was involved in leading chants saying Ruto must go and is a one-term president. He never denounced those statements. What that amounts to is that he is guilty of treason and other allied offences.
So Rigathi Gachagua cannot expect to remain in office as Deputy President when he took part in undermining the president and campaigning against the president. His tenure as a principal assistant is not tenable by any interpretation,” Shollei stated.
Further escalating her criticism, Shollei referenced comments Gachagua made during a church appearance in Meru. She alleged that the Deputy President insinuated that his removal from office would incite violence among the Mt. Kenya community, a remark she considered treasonous and gross misconduct.
“During his appearance in a church in Meru, the DP insinuated that if he’s removed, the tribes of Kenya native to Mt. Kenya will revolt and be violent. Again, that shows that the Deputy President is guilty of treason and other allied offences, which amounts to gross misconduct,” she added.