The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) Chairperson Simon Kobia on Monday cautioned senators on theirย impending decisionย on Deputy President Rigathi Gachaguaโs impeachment.[โฆ]CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLEโถ
Addressing the press, the chairman called on the Senate to be cautious with the impeachment since it could divide the country.
โThe Senate has a big responsibility to ensure that the country maintains peace during the debate over the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua,โ Kobia stated.
However, he 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.
Kobiaโs main concern was that the outcome of the impeachment motion in the Senate could lead to tribal clashes, especially between the Mount Kenya region dwellers and Kenyans from other parts of the country.
โAs 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,โ Kobia added.
For this reason, he urged the Senate to fulfill its mandate diligently and lawfully so that no Kenyan would feel left out no matter the outcome.
โThis 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,” the chairperson explained.
The commissionโs worries are not unwarranted. According to the results of theย public participationย in the Gachagua impeachment, the majority of Mount Kenya region residents opposed the motion with a higher contrast to the majority of overall Kenyans who supported the motion.
According to a TIFA poll conducted a few days before the public participation, 68% of Mt Kenya residents opposed the move while in general, only 38% of Kenyans opposed the motion with a majority 41% supporting it.
Gachagua is slated to appear before the Senate on Wednesday and Thursday this week where he will have the opportunity to present witnesses and also be defended by a flurry of lawyers in a plenary session involving all the 47 senators.
While attending the 34th diocesan anniversary celebrations at St Markโs Teachers Training College in Embu on Sunday, Gachagua also urged his countrymen toย maintain peaceย 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.
If he is impeached by the Senate, Gachagua has the option to contest the decision in the courts. On this, Gachagua said, โWe have faith in our courts, and I am certain that our judges will uphold the Constitution and ensure the will of the people prevailsโฆCLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES>>>
