Facing imminent impeachment proceedings, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua made a heartfelt plea for forgiveness during a church service at the National Prayer Altar in Nairobi on Sunday. With Members of Parliament set to vote on his potential removal, Gachagua asked those he may have wronged to find it in their hearts to forgive him.
In his address, he reached out to President William Ruto, MPs who have initiated the impeachment process, and the Kenyan public.
“I want to say to my brother President William Ruto if, in our zeal to work, I have wronged you, please find it in your heart to forgive me. If my spouse, in her duties with the boychild, has wronged you in any way, please find it in your heart to forgive her,” Gachagua pleaded.
Gachagua also reflected on past comments about “shareholders,” suggesting that his intention was merely to express gratitude to the voters who supported him and Ruto.
“Probably you find that in appreciating our people and the support they gave the president and I, probably our utterances made you feel uncomfortable, we did not mean bad, we were appreciating the people who voted for us, if you feel that we rubbed you the wrong way, please find it in your heart to forgive me,” he further pleaded.
This appeal comes amid a motion in Parliament accusing Gachagua of gross misconduct and constitutional violations. Allegations against him include disrespecting the President and unlawfully amassing wealth since taking office. Gachagua, however, has denied any wrongdoing, framing the situation as a political witch hunt linked to his support from the Mt. Kenya region.
Public participation in the impeachment process has revealed widespread discontent, with many Kenyans calling for both Gachagua and Ruto to step down. This sentiment has also led citizens to demand greater accountability and improved governance from the Kenya Kwanza leadership.