Kobia’s main concern was that the outcome of the impeachment motion in the Senate could ignite tribal clashes, especially between the Mount Kenya region dwellers and Kenyans from other parts of the country.
National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) Chairperson Simon Kobia on Monday, October 14 warned the Senate on how it would handle the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua later this week.
Addressing the press, the chairman urged the Senate to tread with caution in terms of impeachment as it has the potential to divide the whole country.
Kobia’s main concern was that the outcome of the impeachment motion in the Senate could ignite tribal clashes, especially between the Mount Kenya region dwellers and Kenyans from other parts of the country.
In light of this, the NCIC chair urged the arm of Parliament to approach it with fairness and fulfil its mandate diligently and lawfully so that no Kenyan would feel left out no matter the outcome.
NCIC Chair Dr Samuel Kobia addressing members of the press. /NCIC
“As NCIC, our major concern is the way this process is shaping up. It could easily lead to conflict between the people of Mount Kenya and people from other parts of the country,” Kobia warned.
“This is what we are really worried about so we feel that the Senate in handling this matter should do it in a way that all Kenyans will feel that it has been fair and it has been done according to the law and the Constitution.”
Still, Kobia maintained that the commission was ready to hold accountable any political leaders using divisive politics to incite Kenyans into violence as they are currently doing in the County of Tana River.
The chairperson’s sentiments hold water. On Monday, October 7, Trends and Insights for Africa (TIFA) released its survey on the impeachment motion against Gachagua conducted between October 1 to October 4, just a few days before the Public Participation exercise.
The poll covered various regions including the Mount Kenya region where results contradicted those of the rest of the country, most of them taking the DP’s side and others citing reasons for their stance.
TIFA revealed that 69 percent of Mt Kenya residents were against the motion whereas 20 percent of residents from the region supported the impeachment, with 11 percent undecided. Comparatively, Kenyans were divided over the impeachment of Gachagua, with 38 percent opposing it, 41 percent supporting it, and 21 percent undecided.
Gachagua’s fate is set to be decided on Wednesday, October 16, and Thursday, October 17, when he faces the Senate. This is after more than 280 MPs voted to impeach the second in command on Tuesday, October 8 following an intense session.
While attending the 34th diocesan anniversary celebrations at St Mark’s Teachers Training College in Embu on Sunday, Gachagua also 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, with the DP having the option of the courts if his impeachment is upheld by the Senate.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua speaking at the National Assembly on October 8, 2024. /PARLIAMENT KENYA