Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Saturday November 2, 2024 urged members of parliament (MPs) to act with the same speed and efficiency to pass the Coffee Bill, 2023 as they did while impeaching him.

Gachagua made the remarks on Saturday while attending a funeral service in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County.

“The same speed and efficiency that you displayed in the National Assembly to impeach Rigathi Gachagua, use the same to pass the Coffee Bill, 2023 to become law,” Gachagua said.

“Let it pass and be gazetted at night so early in the morning President William Ruto can assent it,” he added. 

In addition, he expressed satisfaction with the milestones achieved in the coffee sector, which he was overseeing during his tenure as the deputy president.

Gachagua was impeached by the National Assembly in a historic move, as the impeachment was upheld by the Senate on October 17, 2024.

His impeachment was the first to happen in the history of Kenya, for the holder of the office of the deputy president to be removed from office  before the end of a five year term.

He was impeached over accusations of gross misconduct, irregular acquisition of wealth, undermining of the president and ethnic division, among other charges.

Senators proceeded with the impeachment hearing even after Gachagua fell ill.

The Senate approved five of the 11 charges against Gachagua, as speaker of the Senate, Amason Kingi, announced that the impeached DP ceases to hold office immediately.