A heated exchange between Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang’wa and his Kisii counterpart Richard Onyonka took center stage on Tuesday night following a controversial admission by Onyonka about his vote in favor of impeaching former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. The two lawmakers clashed over the implications of Onyonka’s actions, with each defending their positions in increasingly personal and contentious terms.
The clash was triggered by a video where Senator Onyonka openly admitted that he had voted to impeach Gachagua. Onyonka explained that his decision was influenced by information he had received from Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga, a move that raised eyebrows among his colleagues. According to Onyonka, Wamatinga, who is a brother-in-law to the former DP, provided him with the details that ultimately led him to support the impeachment motion.
Onyonka’s statement quickly became a point of contention for Thang’wa, who took to social media to address what he described as “troubling ignorance” among certain legislators. In his response, Thang’wa not only dismissed Onyonka’s claim regarding Wamatinga’s familial ties to Gachagua but also criticized the Kisii senator for basing his vote on hearsay rather than solid evidence.
“This video highlights a troubling level of ignorance that some legislators seem to entertain,” Thang’wa remarked. “How can someone admit to impeaching a Deputy President based on hearsay and rumours rather than on concrete grounds? ‘Ati niliambiwa!’ (I was told!) First of all, the senator in question (Sen. Wamatinga) is not related to my Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua. Either Senator Onyonka was misinformed, or he fabricated the claim entirely. And if he was indeed misled, it speaks volumes about his character.”
Thang’wa’s retort underscored his deep disapproval of Onyonka’s approach, painting it as an example of reckless decision-making fueled by a lack of thorough understanding. His frustration also seemed to stem from the broader political context, where the impeachment of Gachagua has become a highly charged issue, influencing both personal and partisan allegiances.
In a strongly worded counter, Onyonka rejected Thang’wa’s accusations, asserting that his decision to support Gachagua’s impeachment was rooted in evidence and factual information, not simply what he was told. He further accused Thang’wa of letting tribalism cloud his judgment, claiming that the Kiambu senator’s response was driven more by personal interest and tribal affiliations than by the integrity of the matter at hand.
“Bwana Senator, in your self-soothing brawls, don’t count Onyonka as one of your problems. You are not Gachagua. Your irritability towards my decisions, which were based on information and evidence, is informed by personal interest dictated by tribal bigotry. The contrast is loud!” Onyonka wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The exchange highlights the divisive nature of the political atmosphere in Kenya, particularly when it comes to figures like Rigathi Gachagua, whose tenure as Deputy President has attracted both staunch defenders and vocal critics. Onyonka, who was among the senators who voted for Gachagua’s impeachment, has long been a critic of the former DP, citing issues that, in his view, warranted a closer look at Gachagua’s role and conduct in office.
On the other hand, Thang’wa, a vocal ally of Gachagua, has consistently defended the Deputy President’s actions, even after the impeachment motion. His loyalty to Gachagua has only strengthened in the aftermath of the vote, with the Kiambu senator remaining one of the former DP’s staunchest supporters in the Senate.
The clash between the two senators is emblematic of the broader political tensions that have defined Kenyan politics in recent months. With the political stakes high, particularly in a year leading up to general elections, figures like Onyonka and Thang’wa find themselves at the forefront of a bitter ideological divide that pits personal convictions against political allegiances.
As the debate continues, it’s clear that the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua will remain a contentious issue in Kenyan politics, with lawmakers like Onyonka and Thang’wa representing the polarized views surrounding the former Deputy President’s legacy.
