Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has used recent remarks by Suna East MP Junet Mohamed to renew his criticism of the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Kalonzo argued that Junet’s comments about alleged bribery during the impeachment process provide evidence that the proceedings against Gachagua were not conducted fairly and should therefore be subjected to further scrutiny.
The former Vice President said the allegations raise serious questions about the integrity of the process that eventually led to Gachagua’s removal from office.
Gachagua was impeached by the National Assembly in October 2024 after lawmakers approved multiple charges against him. The matter was subsequently considered by the Senate, which upheld several charges, resulting in his removal as Deputy President.
However, Gachagua and his supporters have consistently maintained that the impeachment was politically motivated and driven by disagreements within the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Kalonzo has now seized on Junet's remarks as what he considers fresh evidence supporting those claims.
According to the Wiper leader, any suggestion that lawmakers were offered money to influence their votes would undermine the credibility of the entire impeachment process.
He argued that parliamentary proceedings involving the removal of a senior constitutional office holder must meet the highest standards of transparency, fairness and legality.
The remarks have also reignited debate over the role of Parliament in handling impeachment proceedings. Under Kenya's Constitution, the National Assembly may initiate the impeachment of a deputy president, while the Senate is responsible for investigating and determining the charges.
The process is intended to provide checks and balances and prevent the arbitrary removal of elected or constitutionally appointed officials.
Kalonzo's argument is that if bribery or other forms of improper influence were involved, the constitutional safeguards surrounding the process may have been compromised.
Junet's comments have consequently attracted considerable political attention, with supporters of Gachagua viewing them as an opportunity to revisit questions surrounding his removal.
The former deputy president has remained an influential figure in Kenyan politics since leaving office. His relationship with President William Ruto deteriorated significantly before his impeachment, with the two leaders publicly disagreeing over several political and administrative issues.
Gachagua's supporters have repeatedly alleged that his removal was the result of political differences rather than genuine constitutional violations.
The impeachment charges against him included allegations relating to gross violation of the Constitution and other laws, abuse of office, undermining the independence of constitutional offices, and conduct considered to have threatened national unity.
Gachagua denied the allegations and challenged the process in court.
The latest controversy therefore adds another layer to an already highly contested political episode. If allegations of bribery are formally substantiated, they could raise significant questions about whether individual lawmakers were improperly influenced when making decisions on the impeachment.
At the same time, allegations alone do not automatically establish that the impeachment was unlawful. Any claim of bribery would require credible evidence and, potentially, investigation by the relevant authorities.
The debate is nevertheless likely to continue, particularly as political alliances in Kenya undergo major changes ahead of future elections.
Kalonzo, who has increasingly positioned himself as part of the opposition to the Kenya Kwanza administration, has continued to criticize what he describes as failures of governance and accountability.
His latest comments are likely to strengthen calls from Gachagua's allies for greater scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding his removal.
The controversy also highlights the importance of transparency in parliamentary decision-making. Impeachment is one of the most serious constitutional mechanisms available to Parliament, and public confidence in the process depends heavily on lawmakers acting independently and without improper inducement.
As political leaders continue to trade accusations over the matter, attention is likely to shift toward whether Junet's remarks were supported by specific evidence and whether authorities will investigate the allegations.
For now, Kalonzo's intervention has reopened a politically sensitive chapter, with the former deputy president's impeachment once again at the centre of national debate.