Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has come out strongly to defend his contentious ‘shareholders’ remarks, which have contributed to an ongoing push for his impeachment.

Speaking during a press conference on Monday evening, Gachagua insisted that his comments on power-sharing within the Kenya Kwanza government were being misinterpreted, revealing that President William Ruto had consented to a power-sharing pact with regional leaders before the 2024 general election.

Gachagua disclosed that both National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi secured their positions after negotiating with Ruto in exchange for delivering 70% of the Western region’s vote during the election.

He further explained that other regional leaders and party heads within the coalition had struck similar deals for power-sharing,

“I have never talked about sharing resources; I have been talking about power-sharing. For people to get what they deserve in accordance with the agreement,” Gachagua said.

“ANC will be allocated the position of Prime Cabinet Secretary to be established between 14 days… FORD Kenya will be allocated the position of the Speaker of the National Assembly. In accord with article 21 of the power sharing agreement, ANC and FORD Kenya would have 30% share of National gov’t positions,” Gachagua read a pre-election pact of the Kenya Kwanza Alliance.

Gachagua’s comments comes after Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse tabled a 100-page impeachment motion against him on October 1, 2024, citing the remarks as evidence of his role in dividing the country along ethnic lines.

Gachagua is also accused of undermining the presidency, violating his oath of office, and contradicting the National Cohesion and Integration Act.

In response to the growing political pressure, Gachagua has assembled a legal team, to defend him during his upcoming impeachment trial in the National Assembly on Tuesday 8th October. The trial marks a significant moment in the country’s political scene, with Gachagua’s future hanging in the balance as he battles to save his position.

The impeachment motion has divided opinion across the political spectrum, with some lawmakers expressing concern that Gachagua’s rhetoric threatens the unity of the country, while others argue that the Deputy President is being unfairly targeted for his outspoken nature.