A public participation event aimed at collecting the views of Nyeri County residents on the impeachment motion against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was halted on Friday, October 4 morning after chaos erupted at the Nyeri Cultural Hall.

Tensions flared as a section of the local residents vocally rejected the impeachment motion, arguing that DP Gachagua had been legitimately elected alongside President William Ruto and should not be removed from office.

Reports also allege that chaos erupted after residents accused area MP of buying people to suppress their will.

This development comes just days after several MPs from Nyeri County, including Tetu MP Geoffrey Wandeto and Nyeri Woman Representative Rahab Mukami, reversed their support for the impeachment. The lawmakers admitted that their earlier backing was a hasty decision made without fully understanding the charges against Gachagua.

After reflecting and consulting with their constituents, the MPs have committed to voting against the impeachment, calling instead for unity and development-focused leadership.

“Reading through the motion I realized this is something our deputy president and the President can sit down and resolve because Kenya is bigger than us. I have listened to the ground and the people of Nyeri have said they do not want the deputy president removed,” said MP Mukami.

“As representatives of the people, it is upon us to listen to our people and do what they have asked us. So on Tuesday, I will be voting no,” said MP Wandeto.

The disorder during the public participation exercise, combined with the shifting positions of key MPs, highlights the increasing complexity of the impeachment process and the deep divisions it has caused within both the political and public arenas.