Fri Sep 20 09:10:33 UTC 2024: ## Deputy President Gachagua Warns Impeachment Plotters, Defends Marikiti Traders
**Nairobi, Kenya** – Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Friday issued a stern warning to those allegedly plotting his impeachment, dismissing their efforts as a ploy to instill fear. Gachagua, speaking during a visit to Marikiti market, a major vegetable market in Nairobi, insisted that he was elected by Kenyans and that they alone could remove him from office.
The Deputy President’s statement follows recent claims by MPs and politicians aligned with him that he has been targeted for impeachment, allegedly due to his Mt Kenya political unity efforts. These efforts have reportedly alienated some leaders in the region and sparked tensions within the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition.
The visit to Marikiti market, which is facing relocation by the Nairobi County government, provided a platform for Gachagua to rally support and reiterate his commitment to the people. He expressed staunch opposition to the proposed move, calling the traders “not potatoes” to be relocated at will. He urged Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja to honor his election promises to the traders and find a mutually agreeable solution.
Gachagua’s visit sparked further political friction with Sakaja, who responded to the public appeal by issuing a public statement and revealing his phone number, suggesting open communication. The incident has further highlighted the growing political divide within Kenya Kwanza, with Gachagua’s allies accusing Sakaja and others close to President William Ruto of not understanding the “bottom-up” agenda that propelled their coalition to victory.
The Marikiti market issue has become a symbol of the wider power struggles within the government, with both Gachagua and Sakaja engaging in public pronouncements and rallying supporters. The situation is likely to escalate as the political landscape in Kenya continues to evolve.
First Piper 