Embakasi East Member of Parliament, Babu Owino, recently explained why he chose not to take part in the vote to impeach former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Owino, known for his outspoken nature, stated that although he was instructed by some to vote in favor of Gachagua’s removal, he could not find sufficient merit in the charges leveled against him.
Owino clarified that after hearing Gachagua’s defense, he opted not to engage in the impeachment process. He compared his stance to that of Pontius Pilate, who washed his hands during the crucifixion of Jesus. “I said I was washing my hands like Herod washed his hands in Jesus’ crucifixion,” Babu said, referring to his decision to remain neutral. He further emphasized that upon listening to Gachagua, he saw no real wrongdoing on the former DP’s part.
While many MPs were eager to remove Gachagua from office, Babu Owino took issue with how some of them attempted to involve the Deputy President’s family, including his wife and children, in the battle. “I am a very just leader. He did not offend me, and I didn’t see his mistake,” Owino remarked. “How do you fight a man with his wife and children?” This sentiment resonated with him as he stressed that political conflicts should remain between the politicians, not involve their families.
The impeachment of Gachagua, which took place on October 8, 2024, marked a significant moment in Kenyan political history, as he became the first Deputy President to be ousted. A total of 281 MPs voted in favor of the motion, citing a range of accusations, including gross violation of the constitution, undermining the President, and promoting ethnicity, among others. Only 44 MPs voted to protect his political career, while one MP abstained from voting.
Following Gachagua’s impeachment, the Senate upheld the charges after a two-day hearing, confirming five key allegations against him, including undermining the independence of the judiciary and committing crimes under the National Cohesion Act. These findings solidified Gachagua’s removal from office and sent shockwaves through Kenya’s political landscape.
Despite the significant push to oust Gachagua, Babu Owino’s perspective provides a glimpse into the complexities of political decisions and the importance of balancing justice with family concerns. His decision to abstain from the vote was rooted in his belief that the charges against Gachagua did not merit his ouster, thus setting him apart from the wave of MPs who supported the impeachment.
