Central Organisation of Trade Unions secretary general Francis Atwoli says he is not interested in being appointed a deputy president in the probable removal from office of incumbent Rigathi Gachagua.[โฆ]CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLEโถ
The DPโs office is a step away from falling vacant after Gachagua was on Tuesday impeached by the National Assembly following a motion tabled by Kibwezi West MP, Mwengi Mutuse.
A paltry 44 MPs voted against the motion which received the overwhelming support of 281 legislators who felt the DP was guilty of the charges.
They include gross violation of the constitution, undermining the President, promoting ethnic division, undermining devolution and irregular acquisition of wealth.
Gachagua denies any wrongdoing.
The Senate has scheduled to review the charges levelled against the embattled second-in-command on Wednesday and Thursday next week.
Should two-thirds of the House approve any of the 11 counts, the decision will serve as a death knell to Gachaguaโs stellar political career for good.
In light of the anticipated ouster, a number of political heavyweights are angling to be picked by President William Ruto as Gachaguaโs replacement.
The political development has also sparked off political realignments with some regions suggesting individuals they deem fit to deputise Ruto.
Atwoli says heโs been named by some quarters as a possible candidate from Western Kenya for the position, but the outspoken trade unionist has rubbished such a suggestion as โunprocessed thoughtsโ.
โThose people who are busy peddling rumours under some unknown research document, on who should be considered for DP from Western Kenya, should stop and forget such unprocessed thoughts,โ Atwoli said in a statement on X.
The SG said the Luhya nation is awash with known political figures for anyone to overlook them and suggest him as the best candidate.
โThe Luhyas have known leaders, in government, who represent the community ably. Iโm a trade unionist, period. And I do not desire any other elective or appointive seat,โ Atwoli said.
The veteran trade unionist known for openly speaking his mind on matters of politics has for years played a matchmaker but never once showed interest in any appointive or elective political position.
He said he still holds to this principle.
โIf anything is coming for the Luhya community, we have known political leaders who speak for the community politically and represent us in government. Iโm just an elder and adviser,โ he affirmed.
A recent survey by Tifa Research conducted between October 1 and 4, 2024, suggested that Interior CS Kithure Kindiki was the most preferred candidate to replace Gachagua should his removal from office succeed.
Kindiki received a 37 per cent approval rating followed by Prime Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, who each got a paltry 5 per cent.
Immediate former Council of Governors chairperson and Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru got 3 per cent followed by Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga with a 3 per cent approval rating.
The survey had a +/- 2.25 per cent margin of error.
It was conducted across nine regions of Mt Kenya, Central Rift, Western, Nyanza, Nairobi, Lower Eastern, Coast, Northern and South Rift.
A total of 1,892 Kenyans aged 18 and above were interviewed using telephonic interviewsโฆCLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES>>>
